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I created Black Men Succeed to showcase dynamic, successful, spiritual black men around the globe, as a source for inspiring the next generation! To contact me email: PR@LillieMaePR.com
@iamLillieMae | @BlackMenSucceed
IN THIS ISSUE
BLACK MEN SUCCEED James C. Birdsong Jr. Fulton Smith Jimmy Jones Morris Smith
A.D. White Kerry Lampkin Darius Bradley Odell Bizzell
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JamesC.
BirdsongJR.
Please introduce yourself to readers: First and foremost, I want to personally thank you Lillie, and the wonderful team at Black Men Succeed Magazine for this opportunity. I am grateful to God and this is another dream that comes for me. I was born and raised in Richmond, CA, a city located northeast across the bay from San Francisco. I lived at the corner of Maine Avenue and Harbour Way South. Like most African American youth, I am a product of the inner-city. My father, the late Rev. James C. Birdsong, Sr. was a local respected public figure in my hometown. He was a minister and community activist that advocate for disability rights. My father was also a gifted and talented singer who had an opportunity to record during the Golden Age of Gospel music. He could have been famous. Unfortunately, he did not pursue it. He was along with the group I considered the “Icons of Richmond”, who were our legendary pastors, elected officials, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and community activists. Everyone from the mayor to the citizens of Richmond and our local newspaper at the time, the West County Times knew my father. My mother, Belinda Germany-Birdsong resides here in the Atlanta area and supports me to the utmost. Her father, the late Sgt. Otis B. Germany served in the United States Army during World War II. Her mother, the late Mildred Germany was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement and served as the President of the National Council of Negro Women Richmond Section in my hometown. She had conversations with the late Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and the late Dr. Dorothy Height at their national conventions. As the public is already aware, I am a member of the renowned famed Birdsong family with our roots and legacy in the music industry and ministry. My family consists of world-renowned R&B iconic artist, Cindy Birdsong of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells and the Supremes, retired four-time NBA All-Star pro basketball player, Otis Birdsong, and late Edwin Birdsong, a GRAMMY®-Award winner and legendary 1970s era funk keyboardist, whose music has been sampled by Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Dalf Punk, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, and many others. My great uncle and Edwin’s father, the late Rev. Sidney Birdsong, Sr. served as the pastor of the historic Solid Rock Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA.
I am actively involved in the Gospel music industry and entertainment arena as a vocalist, songwriter, and industry professional whom God has truly blessed nationally and abroad. Outside of the industry, I am the author of the inspirational memoir, The Best is Yet to Come: A Testimony of One Young Man’s Redemption, motivational speaker and advocate for today’s youth. As a child growing up, I attended public schools in special education due to my developmental disability following divine healing from a speech impediment at the age of three, which I could not speak prior to that. I have shared this testimony all over the world. I am an alumnus of Fairfield High School in Fairfield, CA, and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education at Beulah Heights University in Atlanta, GA. I received a Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Marketing from the University of Phoenix and an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music (Honoris Causa) from New Covenant International Bible College in Columbia, SC. These are some of the highlights of my background. I am grateful to God for my parents, family, teachers, and those who encouraged me motivated me and pushed me to never give up on my dreams. Now, the journey has allowed me to accomplish so many opportunities throughout the country and abroad. I have two older brothers, four adult nieces, and one great-niece. Tell us about your nonprofit, Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts: Sure, I will be more than happy to share this with the readers. Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts, Inc. Known as BABA, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Atlanta. We will have additional operations in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. to serve those areas. The organization was established in 2019 with the goal to help today’s African American youth from K-12 grade pursue their dreams and careers in performing arts and broadcasting. We will provide programs and initiatives, mentorships with professionals in the entertainment arena and broadcasting to help in this effort, scholarships, organize fundraisers, develop partnerships with school districts through selected schools, 40 HBCUs throughout the United States, host an annual Gospel concert and Pre-Concert VIP Awards Gala as our yearly benefit, workshops, productions and much more. We recently developed a partnership with the Atlanta Public Schools and will continue to move forward in our planning strategy. We selected four schools in the Atlanta Public Schools for this partnership. By faith, our main operations of BABA will be located in downtown Atlanta at an office building this summer. The leadership team of our organization consists of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and eight board members with more to be appointed. For our additional operations in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C., they will be spearhead by board members residing in those cities to serve as directors of those operations. God gave me this vision to start this organization to help our African American youth become the next generation of actors, actresses, vocalists, recording artists, producers, songwriters, record label executives, educators, entrepreneurs, camera operations, engineers, studio owners, filmmakers, directors and media personalities. I have been blessed to receive so much support about this organization. In the upcoming months, an extensive media campaign by a publicist will take place in metro Atlanta and throughout the United States. As time progress, BABA will be obtaining grant funding and other resources in this effort. Our organization will proceed nationally.
How God been instrumental in your journey? One of my favorite scriptures is founded in Philippians 4:13 when it reads, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I was raised in the church, and I grew up praying, singing, and surrounded by a family with those strong principles. People always ask me, “James, how do you do it. How you have accomplished so much from the awards, being listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America multiple times for more than 15 years, meeting famous and noted people to being featured on many television, radio, and print media outlets nationwide and abroad.” I gladly tell them God made this possible. I had my share of challenges along the way. I know how it feels to be bullied and teased in school. I know how it feels to have your parents divorce at 15-years-old. I know how it feels all of the sudden to lose your father a year before graduating from high school and I know how it feels to experience other situations. Even when certain people doubted and did not believe me, I know how it feels. Through it all, God was right there, and His hands are upon me. There is also a positive side to this response. I have been truly blessed with a large, strong support system throughout the country. This is a reminder you are loved, respected, and appreciated. I can relate to Generation Z, and what they are experiencing at their age. They are the generation behind me. As a millennial, I am a child of the 1980 and a teenager of the 1990s. I want to tell the young people that you are special in God’s eyesight. Never give up on your dreams in life. Put God first and foremost in everything you do, and watch opportunities come your way. What is next for you in 2021? I will continue my role as the Founder, President, and Executive Director of Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts. There are plans for me to establish a record label in the near future. This is another heart desire of mine in the industry. This record label will allow those aspiring artists to record projects and perform nationally in Gospel music after being turned away. There are a lot of politics in the industry, and I have observed this firsthand. I also plan to record projects and get songs released as time progress. I plan to write another book, which will be geared towards today’s youth and the issues they are facing. God answered my prayers in 2020 as I turned 40-years-old. He finally blessed me with a beautiful, special young black woman in my life. We truly do love each other, and our families support us. She is my number one fan and cheerleader. The public will know our story when the time comes. When the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted, I will resume my travels and public appearances. So far, I have been honored by the United States House of Representatives in the Congressional Record and nominated for three awards in the Gospel music industry. Two years ago, I received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who’s Who Publications. Past recipients of this award include General Colin Powell, former Secretary of State, and Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Please share your contact information for readers to learn more about you: The readers can learn more about me by visiting my official website at www.jamescbirdsongjr.net. This is where they can obtain my booking inquires, itinerary, updates, and more. My social media handles are included on the website. For Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts, they can log to www.babaofficial.org to learn more about our organization and how they support and donate. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. Be safe and may God bless you.
FultonSmith
"A Good Woman Builds a Good Man, and a Good Man Builds a Good Woman" What car let you know that being a mechanic was for you? 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass was my seventeenth birthday gift. I saw my Daddy pull into the garage, then ran into the house to confirm that this car was mine. Upon my Mom's confirmation, I got so excited. Six hours later my Dad final came in the house with the keys and an Oldsmobile shop manual. I ran out to the garage ready to give my car a spin. When I got to the garage I saw my car in pieces with a note on the windshield; "You want to own this vehicle... you put it back together". It took me a week to get through the manual and get the Oldsmobile on the road. I realized then that I had a desire to learn more about cars.
Tell us about your journey as a mechanic: I left my hometown and moved to the Big City of Atlanta, GA. Five years later I enrolled in Atlanta Area Tech to become a certified automotive mechanic. I walked out with my (tackle box) and instructions. A small garage on the corner of Bankhead and Ashby Street allowed me to get hands on experience, plus taught me the value of investing in tools. After getting two years of experience I went to work for a Chrysler Dealership. I stayed with Chrysler for eight years, then went to a Honda Dealership. During my time at Honda I opened my own mechanic shop off of Stewart Avenue, and it was open for twenty-one years. Part of my services even back in the eighties were mobile mechanic options. Please share any bumps that turned Into blessings along the way: After twenty-one years, my major bumps were self inflicted, like burn-out. I gave my work everything seven days a week and anytime a customer called I was there. Balance didn't exist, I gave everything to the clients and myself. Any free time was spent on me blowing off steam at the gym or on my bikes. In 1998 I had a blowout of my knee while riding one of my beloved Hayabusa bikes. A dog ran out in front of me and caused the accident which kept me from going to the shop. This year I lost the shop, rehabbed my knee and headed to Griffin Tech to get my CDL license. Over-the-road driving ended up being my blessing. It paid well to keep me and my wife in a home. The biggest blessing was that I spent time thinking and talking to God. While listening I came to the understanding that I knew God, but had no relationship. Looking back, I saw I had not put God nor Family in their appropriate place. This was the beginning of daily encouragement to others ,so they wouldn't miss God. I sent messages out via email, then added text messages and now you can find #realtalk on my personal facebook page. The bonus of this journey was that I spent seventeen years on the road learning to work on diesel trucks and keeping them in DOT compliance; a new skill to add to my mechanic toolbox. What does your work life look like now? I have been off the road three years now. I am practically 99.9% mobile with a few clients that come to my personal garage. God has blessed me with more balance, my house life is rich and my business accounts are quickly catching up. This is due to the fact I give my Creator praise for everything, not myself, and stay tithing even through the storms. After forty-five years in the transportation industry, what is next for you? Well heading into my mid-sixties, I am finally going to follow my wife's advice to work smarter and not harder. I am going to be using my brains, not just my brawn to tap into all the skills learned on the journey. Mike's Mobile Mechanic is the primary income source of the Mike's Transporters Brand. Coming in 2021 there will be some other major income streams added. Mike's Mobile Mechanics will have limited clients, and a lot of the physical labor will slow down. However, a lot of teaching and mentoring of the next generation of technicians will happen, which will give me the opportunity to hire quality workers for my other entities. What advice would you share with other men regarding leaving a legacy? Don't be selfish with your knowledge! The lessons and experiences you gathered on your journey make time and create the space to share. www.MikesMobileMechanicGa.com
JIMMY JONES
"Honor God more in your life. God is love, love on people more, and love on yourself more." - Jimmy Jones An Atlanta native, Jimmy Jones is a real estate professional, and entrepreneur, who has also interests in marketing/promotions and nightlife. Mostly known as "Sell Your Home Jimmy Jones," he's managed to sell millions of dollars in real estate in the metro Atlanta area and through his company Jones Capital Investments, LLC, Jimmy rehabs and develop houses, with the goal to completely "flip" the Decatur area of metro Atlanta. Additionally, Jimmy makes it a point to use his expertise to teach people how to buy, sell and invest in real estate.A graduate of Florida A&M University and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Jimmy started his entrepreneurial streak back in 2004 when he founded TonightAtlanta.com, Atlanta's largest email marketing company for events, with over 80,000 plus email subscribes. Through TonightAtlanta.com he also develops and executes weekly, monthly and annual events with the attendance of thousands of guests. Jones has appeared on Lifetime's "Little Women Atlanta" and OWN's "Ready To Love." He is currently in the process of filming an Atlanta-based real estate series as well. Connect with him on Instagram @SellYourHomeJimmyJones
MORRISJONES SMITH JIMMY A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Morris “Mo” Smith is a barbershop owner with a passion for real estate. After graduating from Lakeside High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he first learned to cut hair, Smith obtained a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Stillman College using his barbering skills as his primary source of income. The member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. would go on to open his first barber in 2005 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at 22years-old. Now a serial entrepreneur, Smith is the owner of Sideline Cutz, a barbershop located in the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta, and works as a real estate agent and investor with several properties under his control. In 2019 Smith established Beyond The Clippers, an educational program that allows entrepreneurs to discover new ways to generate wealth through real estate and financial literacy. Through Beyond The Clippers, entrepreneurs will have access to Smith’s expertise and resources which will allow them to navigate the world of real estate investing while still tending to their respective businesses. Smith is offering 1-on-1 coaching in real estate and financial literacy, property location services and project management for property rehabilitation. Connect with him online @BeyondTheClippers_
"To me, power means strength and influence; knowing who I am and standing strong in my beliefs make me powerful."
A.D. WHITE
Tell us about your community efforts and how they've made a positive impact: I've partnered with several Atlanta based organizations that help the less fortunate. We've helped feed and clothe the homeless, we're done fund raisers, stuffed care packages and a number of other initiatives aimed at bettering our communities. In addition to that, I've done volunteer projects at local nursing homes and facilities for individuals with special needs. Helping someone simply to help and with no ulterior motives shows that you care and could help restore their faith in humanity. We aren't all bad. Share 2 pieces of advice for emerging Atlanta professionals: 1. Network. Network. Network. Atlanta is a big city and meeting like minded individuals helps make it feel a little bit smaller. You never know where your next business venture, opportunity or partnership is coming from... it would be from that connection you made at a random networking event. 2. Be a nice person. It costs exactly zero dollars to be nice. Kindness goes very far. What is next for you in 2020? It may just be the optimism, but I still feel like some great things can be accomplished. I'm going to continue writing - maybe this is the year that I muster the courage to share what I write. Who knows? I know one thing for sure though, AD White is far from finished. How can readers support your efforts or connect with you online? Connect with me: IG @iamadwhite, Twitter @iamadwhite.
"The true definition of power to me is our ability to make our own choices."
KERRY
LAMPKIN Black Men Succeed sat down with real estate investor mogul, Kerry Lampkin, to discuss his aggressive rise as an investor as well as his continuous commitment to making a powerful impact. Raised in the country, grown by the city, Kerry is a unique mix of urban sophistication and southern hospitality. He’s smart. Savvy at networking and skilled in negotiation. Most of all, integrity is everything to him. This combination is what makes Kerry such a stand-out in the world of real estate investing. Building his real estate portfolio from nothing to over $1 million before age 30, Kerry is turning major heads, and he is helping others do the same. He’s well respected in the industry and is determined to educate others on the art of building a legacy with real estate properties. His courses and systems remove a lot of the guess-work that inhibits most investors. Committed to doing his part to rebuild Detroit, Kerry has brought major deals to the table from dozens of single family homes to 40 unit+ apartment buildings. He is the goto person when it comes to real estate wholesaling, and many celebrities and well known investors are coming to him to get in on the action of revitalizing The Motor City.
Tell us about your business and how it was designed to make a positive impact: As a real estate investor my business is about creating generational wealth. I’m determined to educate others on the art of building legacy with Real Estate properties, my courses and systems remove a lot of guess-work that inhabit most investors and I also show individuals how to build strong teams so that there investments are able to withstand the test of time. My signature simple yet proven real estate strategies were created with the non-investor in mind. They are straight forward, easy to understand and easy to implement. Share 2 pieces of business advice for emerging entrepreneurs: Take action first. People spend a lot of time in the procrastination stage and over planning and miss the main point of execution. Have a mentor, having the right mentor can make all the difference sometimes, someone who has already been there. Someone that can help you avoid years of trivial mistakes. What is next for you and your brand? Currently working on a online Real Estate Investment trust company that operates along a straightforward and easily understandable business model. This will provide all investors the chance to own valuable real estate, present the opportunity to access dividend-based income and total returns, and help communities like Detroit, Michigan grow, thrive, and revitalize. What is a piece of advice you would like to leave our readers with: Everyone deserves to own a piece of the earth. During this interesting economic time, owning a piece of earth is more valuable than it has ever been, and I want to see our communities and our people come out on top. How can readers support your business + connect with you online? Readers can support my business by going to my Social Media pages to follow, Like, Share and Subscribe to my YouTube channel. This helps get the word out there so others can be inspired by my post and get the knowledge they deserve for creating generational wealth. #KnowledgeIsWealth #PossessingTheLand Stay Connected! www.KerryLampkin.com Facebook: KerryLampkinOfficial Instagram: KerryLampkin YouTubeChannel: ExaltedSFC Twitter: KerryLampkin Linkedin: KerryLampkin Linktr.ee/kerrylampkin
Darius Bradley is a native of Chicago, IL, known as a former professional celebrity assistant who has over 10 years of experience in entertainment. His first experiences in entertainment were through internships at New York’s Hot 97 radio station, Atlantic Records and Warner Brothers Records. He later went on to become a road manager on BET Music Matters Mini Tour, Hot 97 Summer Jam 2016, Shaggfest Festival, and 02 Arena London. Bradley also worked on production for events such as the Trumpet Awards and DTLR Unleashed Fashion Show, and appeared on the first season of TV One’s “Hustle and Soul.”
DARIUS
BRADLEY
Bradley has an upcoming memoir titled “No Damn Excuse,” which chronicles his experiences as a former celebrity assistant and a professional in the entertainment industry. In the book, Bradley gives readers an insider look into the entertainment industry while discussing how he navigates through unexpected challenges, emotions, backstabbing, heartbreak, and more, while standing by the side of some of the most recognizable names in entertainment.
"Power to me means, the ability to impact multiple people with your behavior, brand, and/or business"
Tell us about your business and how it was designed to make a positive impact. I am a professional keynote speaker, content creator, and podcast host. My business is designed to inspire people to leave their businesses, communities, and organizations better than they found them. We do this by giving life changing keynote presentations, writing creative books, and growing the next generation's leaders. Share 2 pieces of business advice for emerging entrepreneurs: The 2 biggest pieces of advice I have for emerging entrepreneurs are to intimately get to know your target customer/client. Become the customer. Hang out where they hang out, drink what they drink, watch what they watch, and read what they read. Learn their language. Secondly, I would say do the same for your competitors. In this world of ultra competition we must learn how to collaborate with those we compete with. And if I can offer a bonus, learn how to copywrite. :-) What is next for you and your brand? The next level for my brand is more strategic partnerships to grow a wider client base. I have been in the personal development motivational world for over a decade. What I'm in the process of doing now is taking the marketing and sales arm of what I've done, to help other industries attract higher paying clients and retain the clients they have. I want to permeate the entertainment industry, the sports industry, and others.
ODELL BIZZELL
How can readers support your business + connect with you online? The best way to connect with me is through my website www.FromWordsToWealth.com and download my free guide of how to turn your personal story into a six figure personality brand.
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