(BALTIMORE – December 28, 2024) – I remember working a 9 to 5. I had over 50 jobs in my life. Although I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, I knew that before I could sweep my own floor, I first had to learn to sweep somebody else’s. The Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration at Woodlawn (two of my siblings worked there), the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Health, waiting tables, washing tables, shining shoes, and selling newspapers are all a part of my employment history.
In most of those positions, it was living check to check. There was a finite number of how much I’d make each week, every two weeks, or what have you. I even remember my sister explaining the concept of budgeting to me early in my 20s. For me, the bottom line was to make more money.
One job I had was at a noted brokerage firm. It was prestigious. I wore wing tips on my feet and braces on my slacks. I carried a briefcase. None of that mattered the morning I got to the front door, looked up to the office where I worked, turned around, and went home.
You see, I still needed to finish college. The other thing was that I came to find that I hated my job and, more importantly, why. I also learned my love for writing and history would open unimaginable doors.
Somewhere along the line, in 1993, I returned to college. On top of that, Jerry Cross got me to apply for the Sandtown-Winchester ViewPoint newspaper co-editor job at Community Building in Partnership, Inc. the following year. At Coppin State, I majored in English: Media Arts, concentrating in Broadcast Production and Technology. AOL was just coming on the scene. My dad had gotten me my first computer. To say the least, I had finally found my passion. Or, my passion finally found me.
Either way, I haven’t looked back. Journalism has taken me to City Hall, Annapolis, the White House, the United Nations, Canada, Jamaica, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. I have met people of excellence from almost every walk of life. My passion, I found, led me to my purpose. And that is to tell our story from our perspective.
By 2002, I had become a full-fledged business owner. BMORENews.com was my next logical progression after trying to publish a monthly publication of my own for about six editions. I will add that writing opened the door for me to radio and television. I’d also have to mention that the evolution of the internet over the past 30 years, from MySpace to TikTok, became my canvas.
For me, it has been an era of continuous change called innovative disruption, whereby those who fail to adapt eliminate themselves from the playing field. I have come to love this advancement of technology and am forever studying how to use modern-day technology to tell our story better.
The Black Wall Street NEW YEAR EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT is a testament to what teamwork can accomplish. If I’ve learned anything in business, you must have a team. You must have strategic partners who “get it.” You need people around you who support the vision. It’s called buy-in.
As the African proverb says, go alone if you want to go fast. But if you want to go far, go together.
I pray that this summit will inspire someone – even someone who has been procrastinating on their dream for far too long. If God gave you the vision, God will also give you the provision.
Being an entrepreneur is not easy. It is not for everyone. But for those who do have that calling, know that most anything is possible – especially with thoughtful planning, more excellent advisers and mentors, ample resources to get the ball rolling, and, of course, prayer.
In my 22 years as a business owner, there have been maybe five times I thought to quit. Truth! I’m just being honest. The last time I recall getting a phone call, the person said, “The money will come.” And then, somebody knocked on my door. They, too, said, “The money will come!”
I am a witness. The money will indeed come. So, if you have a dream, or if your dream hasn’t quite taken off – but you know that you know that you know that this dream is for you, I say hunker down, strap on your seatbelt, and get ready for a memorable ride where no day is the same. Some do better than others, but the only person you are really in competition with is yourself. Be better than you were yesterday. Be smarter. Be wiser. Pray more. Listen for the answers. And in the end, all will be well.
Some call it a “Purpose Driven Life,” as described by author Rick Warren. You’ll know you’re living it when things fall into place. You awake each day with excitement about whatever is next. You can’t wait to get to the drawing board and devise the next plan.
This is the life of an entrepreneur: Taking risks, reaping the rewards, charting one’s own course, and improving every day.
Reserve your place at the Black Wall Street Summit this Saturday at the Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures. RSVP to BlackWallStreetSummit2025.eventbrite.com.
