MIT Educated Engineer Builds a Business by Teaching Math to Kids

What is your name, and what do you do?

My name is Stephanie Espy, and I’m the founder and president of MathSP (www.MathSP.com). MathSP is a math enrichment company that helps individuals to improve their math skills. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, MathSP provides instruction to middle school students, high school students, college students, adults who need additional math-based resources alongside their coursework, and students who need an added challenge beyond their coursework. MathSP also prepares individuals for the math section of various standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, computer-adaptive exams such as the GMAT or GRE, and state exams such as the EOCT or GHSGT.

What is your educational and professional background?

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from MIT, Master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and MBA from Emory University. I worked as a chemical engineer for several years both in the United States and in England. While completing my MBA in 2008, I founded MathSP.

You have authored two scientific publications. What makes your findings significant contributions to the scientific community?

While a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley, I conducted research at the United States Department of Agriculture. My research involved engineering natural rubber-producing plant species to yield better quality rubber in higher volumes. In one publication, I was able to explain the biosynthesis of natural rubber in a specific plant species and understand, for the first time, kinetic differences between two types of rubber biosynthesis. In another publication, I helped to explain how metal co-factors and substrates activate and inhibit rubber production. Both of these papers added significant contributions to the science community and help to get one step closer to the country’s goal of growing rubber-producing plants in the United States that produce high quality rubber in large volumes.

You are the founder of Math Strategies and Problem-solving (MathSP). What makes your tutoring and test prep services superior to those of your competitors?

MathSP provides premier tutoring and test prep services in the metro Atlanta area. We are the only company that specializes in math tutoring and test prep; thus, we employ math experts to help our students become more fluent in the math language. Unlike other companies, our test preparation courses are heavily focused on the math section of the test. We provide more classroom hours geared solely on the math section – an average of 18 hours! Thus, our students’ math scores are hugely impacted both in their school grades as well as on state and national exams.



Our teaching methods and approach to problem solving also make MathSP unique. We utilize a facilitative teaching style that allows instructors to identify the gaps in a student’s Math ability. Using a concept-based approach to learning, students begin to understand their mistakes and flawed logic and to identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Furthermore, the SP Method, our signature approach to problem-solving, provides a structured approach to tackling math problems in a step-wise manner.

What advice would you share with students who are apprehensive about pursuing an engineering degree?

The best advice I can offer students who are interested in pursuing engineering is to talk to someone who has an engineering degree and “walk in their shoes.” Consider attending an engineering-based summer program at MIT, Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley, Stanford, or any other college or university where engineering is a core major. After my junior year in high school, I spent the summer at MIT in a program called MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science). The MITES program helped me to understand the field of engineering; I took engineering courses and had projects that gave me great insight. As a MITES student, I also interacted with college students, graduate students, and professors at MIT who exposed me to the seemingly unlimited opportunities that can result with an engineering degree.

As an entrepreneur, did you face any challenges in starting MathSP? What specific piece of advice would you share with other entrepreneurs?

As an entrepreneur, I face challenges every day. However, I am very passionate about what I do. There is no other career I’d rather have. It’s my passion for math and helping individuals excel in math to reach their education goals that allows me to face the daily challenges head-on. In order to be a successful entrepreneur, you must have three things: passion, persistence, and a plan. MathSP will continue to grow as long as I have these key ingredients.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?

At MathSP, our students see immediate improvement in their confidence and skill level in the following Math subjects: arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, algebra II, statistics & probability, data analysis, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, and other math-based subjects.

MathSP’s Math Test Preparation helps students score higher on the quantitative section of any standardized test. We prepare middle school students for CRCT, EOCT, SSAT, SAT-TIP tests and more. High school students are prepared for the ACT, AP Exams, EOCT, GHSGT, PSAT/SAT, SAT subject tests and more. We help college students and professionals score higher on the quantitative section of the GRE, GMAT, DAT, GACE, and more.

Source: http://www.techyville.com/2012/11/news/mit-educated-engineer-builds-a-business-by-teaching-math-to-kids/

15-Year-Old Owns Million Dollar Tech Company

What were you doing at age 12?  Jaylen Bledsoe, now a 15-year-old sophomore from St. Louis, began building an IT company, Bledsoe Technologies, LLC.  Three years later, Jaylen’s company is valued at over 1 million dollars!

This young man has done what many people only dream of, while navigating the challenging and confusing tween to teen years.  Bledsoe Technologies is the #1 IT consultancy firm run by a minor in the midwest, and one of the nations fastest growing companies.

What started with two contractors has now expanded to 150 contractors.  So not only is he creating income opportunities for himself, but for others as well.

To accomplish what Jaylen has accomplished takes someone with dedication, work ethic, and wisdom.  Jaylen has accepted the success and attention he’s received with gratitude.  His hopes are to be a blessing and inspiration to other kids. Check out this quote from Jaylen’s blog:

Over the last few years, I’ve been able to motivate that kid who smokes weed all day, to go and learn about entrepreneurship…(motivate the kid) who plays video games all day, to go and learn how to develop his own video game…(and motivate the kid) who’s considered a nerd at school, and is bullied.

This is definitely a young man wise beyond his years.  He is currently working on a project for hotels that will allow you to check into your hotel from your smartphone, and use your smartphone as your hotel room key.  Sounds big, and I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

After he turns the tech and business world upside down, Jaylen plans to take his talents to Vanderbilt University  and then on to Harvard.  It’s going to be fun watching this young man work in the future!

Source: http://www.blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2013/09/15-year-old-owns-million-dollar-tech-company/

Sneaker Designer Thabiti Stephens Kicks New Shoe Brand Into High Gear

When serial entrepreneur Thabiti Stephens, 19, graduated high school, he had an epiphany. Not only did he realize that he’d spent a lot of his allowance on sneakers, he had a pressing need to pay it forward. Now, a student at Morehouse College, majoring in business marketing,  Stephens shares how he developed the concept for his sneaker brand, Steps by Stephens, and how he fulfills his two missions.  –yvette caslin

Tell us about Steps by Stephens:
Steps by Stephens is a shoe company based in Atlanta that produces unisex leather and canvas shoes. We design, manufacture, and retail our shoes – the whole nine yards. We oversee every step.

How did you come up with this idea for Steps by Stephens?
In high school, I started a few businesses – some were successful and others were failures. During the week of graduation, I realized I spent too much of my own money on shoes. I decided that I could create better shoes while making a profit, and give back.

You use the term “we”; who else is in business with you?
It’s me and my vice president, Malcolm Conner. He’s my college roommate and we’re both rising juniors. We co-manage the day-to-day responsibilities.

What makes your sneakers stand out above other sneaker brands?
Our shoes are very comfortable, stylish and a portion of the proceeds from the sales support a cause: hunger. Overall, it’s a good product made from durable material. We market to all demographics who can wear the shoes anywhere.

How are you addressing hunger?
For every pair of shoes we sell, we provide three meals to a child in need. We have a partnership with Communities in Schools, a dropout prevention program that partners with Atlanta Public Schools. They connect us with the students in need of the meal, whose parents are experiencing hardship. We provide a free meal and/or non-perishable goods.

What colors are available?
Right now, we have dark brown and navy blue. We’re releasing the red ones in time for the Fourth of July. They will be available online by July 2, 2012, at stepsbystephens.com.

What is your vision for Steps by Stephens in the next 2-5 years?
We are definitely going to be available in mass retail locations. Without sharing too much before a deal has been signed, we have offers now to go nationwide.

Source: http://rollingout.com/business/entrepreneurs-business-leaders/sneaker-designer-thabiti-stephens-kicks-new-shoe-brand-into-high-gear/

Buy Link: https://stepsbystephens.com/

Black Startup

Our platform is a new tool to generate financial resources to fund ideas and to address systemic social problems facing African-Americans on the local, national, and international level. Clearly, a platform that is operated by an honest broker will facilitate trust. But our platform will also lower transaction costs associated with raising capital. We will be the meeting place where those with good ideas can expose themselves to thousands/millions of potential investors at almost no monetary cost. Also, investors will have the opportunity to contribute to projects that they would have never known about without visiting our website. Finally, the affinity and commonality amongst the online community on our platform will lead to substantial activity and transactions on our platform as opposed to platforms that are not targeted towards a specific community.

Our crowdfunding platform specifically dedicated to the African-American community addresses the lack of African-Americans that are participating in the crowdfunding market because we can  market directly to the community. Furthermore, we can take advantage of established networks/groups  to build our online minority investing community. The idea is for our online community to be as reflective of the “on-ground” African-American community as possible.

Crowdfunding is beginning to move from a marketplace dominated by “one size fits all” style  platforms (indiegogo.com/wefunder.com) to more dedicated, topic-orieted/industry focused platforms. The idea is that by targeting the audience, the marketplace becomes more efficient because of group affinity. Essentially, crowdfunding works partially because it allows one to leverage social networking to get ideas funded through one’s existing relationships, one’s extended network, and the extended network of those one is connected to. Therefore, the more closely one is tied to the network of someone that is seeking funding, the more likely one is to give.

Our platform will be aligned with a network of people that already have a shared group identity, but it will additionally be able to tie into existing groups, organizations, and networks that already exist in the African-American community (both on the ground and online). This is what we mean when we assert that targeting can lead to increased activity and efficiency on a crowdfunding platform. Currently, there is a crowdfunding platform that is targeted to focus on ideas started by Jewish people or designed to advance Jewish interests. However, there is no platform for African-Americans. By focusing on a particular demographic group we will  benefit from the efficiency that targeting allows for.

Our platform/project can be used as a tool to increase education in the community on the benefits of investing, which addresses the over consumption of consumer goods and underuse of investing vehicles within the African-American community. To reach many of these goals, our group will benefit from partnerships with key organizations in the minority business landscape such as Black Enterprise magazine and the National Black MBA Association.

Finally, we address the unmet needs related to the changing dynamics of the regulation of the crowdfunding industry by designing an internet funding portal that can take advantage of the JOBS Act reforms.

http://www.blackstartup.com/

Pretty Brown Girl Movement: Changing Girls One Doll at a Time

She had blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. She looked nothing like little Aliya and Laila Crowley, who were affectionately called “pretty brown girls” since birth by their father Corey. Still, the then five-year-old and six-year-old sisters and their African American friends wanted her: the pretty white doll.

Shocked and disheartened by what should have been a fun birthday party at an American Girl Doll store, where even if little Aliya and Laila wanted to choose an African American doll, their only option would have been a freed slave. Sheri and Corey Crowley decided that they needed to do something to make their girls and girls around the country see that their brown was beautiful.

However, the incident in the doll store was only a small part of a larger issue the Crowleys were seeing in their daughters. After moving to a predominately white neighborhood outside of Detroit, Sheri began to notice that Laila was beginning to develop identity and self-esteem issues from being the only African American student in her class.

“She started asking me for products that she would see sold on TV, so if it was a Pantene commercial where she would see long blonde hair similar to her table mates,  she would ask me to buy it thinking that it would change her hair,” Sheri explained.

Combining the concern of their young daughter’s growing identity issues and the incident at the doll store, Sheri and her husband decided to create a doll.

The couple morphed their daughter’s faces together to create the first ever “Pretty Brown Girl Doll.” While waiting for the doll to be manufactured, the Crowley’s established a hugely successful t-shirt line adorned with the slogan “Pretty Brown Girl Movement.”  Over 500 girls attended a celebration to honor ‘Pretty Brown Girls’ and had real conversations about having self-love.

After receiving such high praise for the event and t-shirts, the Crowley’s quickly learned that their family was not the only ones dealing with issues of identity. People across the country began to call the Crowleys asking how they could contribute to the organization or how they could duplicate their mission in their hometowns.

Overnight, what started as a tool to remind their girls to love their own brown skin became a movement for every girl and woman across the country.

The outpouring of support made Sheri realize that the “Pretty Brown Girl Movement” was filling a big void.  She noted, “That’s when we could see the need… there really is no formal platform that exists that addresses skin tone and self-esteem, particularly to girls.”

She went on to explain further, “Even though this is such an elephant in the room, everybody that’s a person of color goes through something related to skin tone. There absolutely wasn’t anything in place to facilitate a conversation about what this means to be a pretty brown girl.”

Not surprisingly, the movement is supported by 60% women who are looking to help out the young women in their lives as well as themselves. Many of these women exclaim, “I needed to have this when I was growing up and I’m going to wear my shirt in corporate America, and I’m a pretty brown girl and I need to tell myself that now!”

The Pretty Brown Girl Foundation uses their dolls, t-shirts and community-based programs to establish a platform where girls and women can discuss the realities of being a brown girl and a brown woman in America.

In an ideal world, what does Sheri hope a little girl will gain from the “Pretty Brown Girl Movement”?:
“For girls everywhere to know that they were created perfectly in the image of God. And for them to celebrate and love the skin they’re in. …To really understand that she is special and that she doesn’t need to look like anyone but herself. When you’re comfortable in the skin you’re in and you can go throughout your day and feel that power. Power in knowing that and having that self-confidence and self-esteem when you look in the mirror and you see your face that you’re excited about your own reflection and every girl deserves to have that special feeling.”

On February 23, 2013, the foundation held the first ever “International Pretty Brown Girl Day”, sponsored by General Motors, which was established  to celebrate everything that Sheri mentioned above.

For more information about how you can purchase a doll or get involved in the organization, visit prettybrowngirl.com

Wally Amos: Famous Amos Cookies

Today, his name is a household word. Wally Amos’ most recent venture is Chip & Cookie, a unique cookie boutique in Waikiki and Kailua, Hawaii, and an e-commerce business, www.chipandcookie.com. Chip & Cookie features 5 flavors of cookies from Wally’s original recipe and the Chip& Cookie characters, originally created by Christine Harris-Amos and the venture’s mascots for literacy. Wally & Christine created the Read It Loud! Foundation in 2005 (www.readitloud.org). In 2008, a three-year public-private partnership with The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress was formed to stimulate 5 million parents nationwide to read to their children every day. Wally also co-founded the Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company which produces a full line of muffins.

As founder of Famous Amos Cookies in 1975 and father of the gourmet chocolate chip cookie industry, he has used his fame to support educational causes.  Wally was National Spokesman for Literacy Volunteers of America from 1979 until 2002 when they merged with Laubach Literacy Council to create ProLiteracy Worldwide.  He now refers to himself as a Literacy Advocate.  He serves as a Board Member of the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities in Schools.  In addition, he serves as Chairman of the Chip & Cookie Read It Loud! Foundation.

Wally Amos has received many honors and awards.  He gave the shirt off his back and his battered Panama hat to the Smithsonian Institution’s Business Americana Collection.  He has been inducted into the Babson College Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs, and he received the Horatio Alger Award, The President’s Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and The National Literacy Honors Award.

Wally is also an author who has written eight books; his autobiography, The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched A Thousand Chips, The Power In You: Ten Secret Ingredients To Inner Strength, Man With No Name: Turn Lemons Into Lemonade, Watermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life, The Cookie Never Crumbles: Inspirational Recipes for Every Day Living, Be Positive, Be Positive!: Insights Into How To Live A Joy-filled and Inspiring Life, The Power In Self-Esteem: How To Discover And Fulfill Your Life Dreams and Live An Inspiring Life: Ten Secret Ingredients for Inner Strength.

Over the years, Wally Amos has acted in a number of network sitcoms and appeared on hundreds of interview shows, news programs, educational programs and commercials.  On the lecture circuit, he addresses audiences at corporations, industry associations and universities with his inspiring “do it” positive attitude.

Over 150 million Americans know Wally Amos.  His fame is grounded in quality, substance and a positive attitude.

Source: http://www.bluefeathermanagement.com/speakers/wally_amos.php

Rapper 50 Cent Thinks Like a Harvard Businessman

Curtis Jackson broke into the music industry in 2002 and became the multiplatinum rapper 50 Cent. Today, he's also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He talks with WSJ's Lee Hawkins about his latest ventures and whether he will become a billionaire.

Watch Mario Lopez talk Ryan Seacrest HERE: http://bit.ly/KYZknO

Watch Manny Pacquiao's exclusive WSJ interview HERE: http://bit.ly/KZyiNj

Lee Hawkins interviews Soulja Boy, John Elway, Cee Lo Green and more HERE: http://bit.ly/LWstNg

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WSJ Live brings you original programming from The Wall Street Journal. Get news directly from The Wall Street Journal's 2,000 reporters across the globe. With exclusive video and daily live programming, you can stay on top of the latest in news, elections, markets, tech, opinion and lifestyle.

For more video, visit WSJ Video: http://on.wsj.com/sOC4N

Chef Jamika

Say the word “chef” and traditionally, it conjures up images of a big white hat atop a restaurant chef. However, the recipe for this dynamic chef goes against all tradition. Jamika is truly a one of a kind chef known for her bold flavors and lively personality to say the least.

Beginning her professional career as a corporate marketing executive, Jamika, known for her risky moves, gave up her lucrative job to pursue her passion for food and cooking to enter the culinary industry. Her classical training included studying in European countries such as Venice, Italy and Vienna, Austria and graduation from the International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute of Atlanta. She also worked for the renowned Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Recognizing her yearning to be the boss, she paired her love for cooking and entertaining and in 2006, began her business – Life of the Party Personal Chef Services.

Positioned as a “Chef to the Stars”, Chef Jamika became a highly sought after personal chef in Atlanta, Georgia, cooking for numerous celebrities and professional athletes. Relying strictly on word-of-mouth advertising and maintaining her professional reputation, Chef Jamika expanded her business by becoming the chef for various corporate events hosted by Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Def Jam Recordings, Black Entertainment Television, the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Hawks, and ProFiles Sports, Inc.

Jamika’s cooking style is described as modern and elegant, yet sassy. Blending her Caribbean heritage with her Southern roots, she is most frequently called upon to prepare her inventive Southern Caribbean Fusion dishes. Inspired by travels and international cuisine, Chef Jamika brings her signature dishes to exciting new levels by blending the essence of different cultures into one.

As a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, and advocate for ending childhood obesity, Chef Jamika is often invited as a nutrition expert to speak at numerous health expos and corporate events, such as the Tom Joyner Family Reunion, Radio One Love Caribbean Gospel Cruise, and Black Entertainment Television (BET) Women’s Health Symposium. Ebony Magazine also named Chef Jamika as one of the Top African-American chefs in the country in 2008.

With Jamika’s bright and witty personality, television was an inevitable avenue to pursue. While cooking for local news programs and interviews, Chef Jamika decided to take her enjoyment for being in front of the camera mainstream by becoming a contestant on the competition series, The Next Food Network Star, season 5. Jamika took the competition down to the final rounds and won the hearts of millions of viewers. Although she did not bring home the final prize of winning her own cooking show, Jamika vowed that this would not be her only shot at a national television series. Triumphantly, her hard work and commitment has paid off. Now you can see her as one of the hosts on The Learning Channel’s (TLC) lifestyle improvement show Home Made Simple. Jamika shows off her clever humor and easy elegant meals by traveling all around the country to the homes of moms in need of help in the kitchen.

Network television is not the only place you can see Chef Jamika. You can see her hosting events and conducting cooking demonstrations across the U.S. and Caribbean islands. As a result of her business success she was also named the alumni spokesperson for the International Culinary Schools of the Art Institutes. Moreover, as an inspiring presence for women of color, Jamika was honored as one of the Queens modeling for Queen Latifah’s Covergirl Queen Collection cosmetics.

Food is her business and she knows her business well. She works to develop herself into a household brand with cookbooks, products, and her own cooking show. As a dynamic business woman, Chef Jamika has burst on the scene dispelling the perceptions of what a chef is – and what they can be or do. Chef Jamika is ‘stirring’ up the food industry one meal at a time and loving every minute of it.

Source: http://chefjamika.com

Beating the Odds: Eddie Brown's Investing and Life Strategies

Beating the Odds is the improbable, inspiring autobiography of financial guru Eddie C. Brown, one of the nation's top stock pickers and money managers. It details how Brown skillfully kept Brown Capital Management afloat through the dot-com bust, 9/11 and the Great Recession. Born to a 13-year-old unwed mother in the rural South, this African-American investment whiz created a Baltimore-based financial firm that amassed more than $6 Billion under management.

Brown delves into the profound heartbreak and disorientation upon the death of his beloved grandmother – who was his surrogate mother -- and recounts how Brown's moonshine-running Uncle Jake subsequently became the dominant adult figure in Brown's life. His unflinchingly honest, easy-to-read memoir details how intellectual curiosity, abiding self-belief, hard work and divine providence helped Brown earn an electrical engineering degree, become an Army officer, and later a civilian IBM engineer. Readers will learn of the strife that ensued when Brown quit IBM to earn an MBA, leading to investment jobs that prepared him to start his own money management company in 1983.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_C._Brown

Sleep is 4 Suckers.........the Mission ft. Eric Thomas

David Shands, Founder of Sleepis4Suckers explains the mission of the Sleepis4Suckers company..... Log on to www.Sleepis4Suckers.com and be inspired!!
Source: http://www.sleepis4suckers.com

Sparkle

Sparkle is an upcoming American musical film directed by Salim Akil and produced by Stage 6 Films, set for release on August 17, 2012 release by TriStar Pictures. Inspired by The Supremes, Sparkle is a remake of the 1976 film of the same name, which centered on three singing teenage sisters from Harlem who form a girl group in the late 1950s. The remake takes place in Detroit, Michigan in the 1960s during the Motown era.

The film stars Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Whitney Houston, Mike Epps, Cee Lo Green, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Tamela Mannand Omari Hardwick. Sparkle features songs from the original film written by soul musician Curtis Mayfield as well as new compositions by R&B artist R. Kelly. This film will be the debut of R&B/pop singer and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks as an actress. Sparkle also marks Whitney Houston's fifth and final feature film role; she died on February 11, 2012, three months after filming ended. The film will be dedicated to her memory.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparkle_(2012_film)

Hudlin Entertainment

Reginald Hudlin is unique in the entertainment business because of his success as a writer, producer, director and executive. To quote cultural critic Jimi Israel, “Hudlin is a modern-day Gordon Parks, a true monster in the game who totally re-did the blueprint: what some people used to call a renaissance man. I dig him because he made me think outside of the box. Hudlin writes and directs movies, pens a comic book, and he was running BET. That’s multi-tasking for your ass”.

Hudlin is a pioneer of the modern black film movement, creating movies like HOUSE PARTY, BOOMERANG and BEBE’S KIDS, which are some of the most profitable and influential films of his generation. He is the executive producer and writer of the upcoming BLACK PANTHER animated series starring Djimon Hounsou, and was executive producer of THE BOONDOCKS. Hudlin also directed the pilot of the hit series EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS and was a producer and director of THE BERNIE MAC SHOW.

Hudlin is currently a producer on writer/director Quinton Tarantino’s upcoming feature film DJANGO UNCHAINED, starring Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Costner.

Every month Hudlin writes a comic strip for Ebony Magazine called YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

During his more than three year tenure as the first President of Entertainment for Black Entertainment Television, Hudlin created 17 of the top 20 rated shows in the history of the network including the award-winning KEYSHIA COLE: THE WAY IT IS; AMERICAN GANGSTER; and SUNDAY BEST. Under Hudlin’s stewardship, BET had its first ever telethon, which supported Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. He created the BET HIP HOP AWARDS and the BET HONORS - two successful network franchises. He created a profitable home entertainment division for the network and completely rebuilt the news division, which went on to win 13 awards in two years.

Hudlin has directed episodes of MODERN FAMILY, THE OFFICE, THE MIDDLE, PSYCH, OUTSOURCED and ARE WE THERE YET?

One of Reginald’s dreams came true four years ago when he wrote BLACK PANTHER comic book series for Marvel Comics. His BLACK PANTHER won awards and is the most successful black super hero series ever, which he adapted to a six episode animated series which is the biggest selling DVD in the Marvel Knights line. Hudlin also wrote an award winning run of SPIDER MAN, Marvel’s flagship character.

Hudlin co-authored his first book BIRTH OF A NATION in July 2004. BIRTH is a comic novel about Hudlin’s hometown of East St. Louis seceding from the United States. The Random House publication received glowing reviews in Time, Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly, among others.

Hudlin’s first feature film, HOUSE PARTY, was based on a short film he directed while a student at Harvard University. The1990 version won the prestigious Filmmakers Trophy and the Best Cinematography Award at the Sundance Film Festival and also received the Clarence Muse Youth Award and a New Visions, New Voices Award from the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

HOUSE PARTY is one of the most profitable films of the decade and was critically acclaimed, receiving reviews from film critic Roger Ebert, the New York Times, Time, Newsweek and USA Today. The film launched a franchise, inspiring three sequels; a Saturday morning animated series and a comic book. When New Line Pictures successfully raised 100 million dollars in a public stock offering, HOUSE PARTY was the only film touted in their advertising campaign to the financial markets.

Hudlin then directed the Paramount Pictures romantic comedy BOOMERANG starring Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Halle Berry and Chris Rock. BOOMERANG earned $120 million dollars worldwide and produced a double platinum soundtrack by LA Reid and Babyface. The soundtrack featured Boyz II Men’s “End of The Road,” one of the longest charting #1 singles in Billboard history, and the debut appearance of the multi-platinum songstress Toni Braxton.

During this period, Hudlin simultaneously wrote and executive produced BEBE’S KIDS, the first African American animated feature film. BEBE’S KIDS was based on the comic routines of the late Robin Harris, who played Pop in HOUSE PARTY.

In 1995 Hudlin created and co-executive produced COSMIC SLOP, a hip “Twilight Zone”-type anthology special for HBO which won two CableAce Awards.

He then went on to direct THE GREAT WHITE HYPE, a Ron Shelton-scripted boxing comedy starring Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans, Jamie Foxx and Jon Lovitz, followed by THE LADIES MAN. That film starred SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE comedian Tim Meadows, Will Farrell and Julianne Moore.

Expanding into new genres, Hudlin directed SERVING SARA, a road comedy featuing “Friends” star Matthew Perry, Elizabeth Hurley and Cedric the Entertainer.

Reginald has directed television commercials for McDonalds, Burger King, AT&T and the Illinois State Lottery.

Reginald has been a featured speaker at Vermont Law School; the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Yale University; the Montclair Art Museum; The Directors Guild; the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; the American Bible Society; the San Diego Comic Con; and more.

Hudlin sits on the boards of the UCLA Film, Television and Theatre Department; and the Hollywood Television and Radio Society and the Black Filmmaker Foundation. He is a member of the Motion Picture Academy, the DGA, WGA and, SAG.

He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Chrisette, daughter Helena and son Alexander.

Source: http://www.hudlinentertainment.com/

Jermaine Griggs, Founder and CEO of HearandPlay.com

Growing up in a rough neighborhood of Long Beach, Calif., Jermaine Griggs caught the entrepreneurial bug at age 7 when he got a summer job selling stationery door to door. "I figured out that I could employ other kids [and make a] dollar for myself," he recalls. When he was just 17, Griggs launched HearandPlay.com as a piano instruction website, and now more than 2 million aspiring musicians download Griggs's online music lessons every year, and more than 200,000 students receive his regular newsletters. But Griggs isn't stopping there. His future plans include speaking to inner city youth all over the country, encouraging them to have big dreams, and showing them how to reach their goals.

Why Go into the Music Business?
"Around 16, I had built up a reputation as this wunderkind church musician. A few parents asked me to teach their children how to play the piano. I immediately figured out that I was teaching the same thing to each student, which was pretty boring, so I created workbooks. I didn't know the big fancy name for this back then -- leverage -- but I certainly knew how it worked. I discovered the Internet a year later, learned HTML, and HearandPlay.com was born, offering my four homemade workbooks to the world!"

“I grew up pretty poor and had a burning desire to change things. I love seeing something come from nothing.”

His Poverty-to-Profits Story
"I grew up pretty poor and had a burning desire to change things. I love seeing something come from nothing. With just $70 to invest in HearandPlay.com (for the domain name), I really believe it doesn't take a lot of money to make money. I've never had investors, no injection of capital, no lines of credit. Cash simply created cash. We've never had an unprofitable year."

What Lies at the Heart of This Entrepreneur?
"Entrepreneurship is in my blood. But it had to be cultivated and it has been. My bookshelf is filled with well over 1,000 books."

Griggs Was Blessed and Befriended By…
"An Internet marketing great -- the late Corey Rudl, founder of the Internet Marketing Center."

His Most Influential Book
"Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill."

His Most Influential Quote
"'Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.' -Benjamin Franklin"

Griggs Tells Other Would-Be Entrepreneurs
"Understand the power of 'selling.' You have to sell at every stage. You have to sell yourself. You have to sell your idea. You have to sell your vision to your future team and partners. Even if you offer a free service, you have to sell because you compete with tons of alternatives."

Technology He Couldn't Live Without
"My CRM system, which houses my customer and mailing list of over 300,000 [people]. If I woke up one day without the ability to stay in constant contact with them, I'd be screwed."

The Most Awkward Question He's Been Asked
"My grandma asked me the other day when I plan to go back to school."

Source: http://www.allbusiness.com/humanities-social-science/visual-performing-arts-music/14621525-1.html

J. Bruce Llewellyn

J. Bruce Llewellyn was born on July 16, 1927, in New York, NY, to Charles and Vanessa Llewellyn, Jamaican immigrants. His parents moved the family to White Plains and he went straight from graduating White Plains High School to enlisting in the Army. He served four years and was honorably discharged after obtaining the rank of second lieutenant.

With the help of the G.I. Bill, he went on to earn a B.S. from the City College of New York. Using the lessons of hard work and perseverance his parents instilled in him, he earned his degree while at the same time operating a small liquor store in Harlem. That was the beginning of his formal education and the launch of his entrepreneurial career. He went on to attend Columbia, NYU and finally to earn a law degree from New York Law School in 1960.

After graduation, Mr. Llewellyn first went into the New York County District Attorney’s office and very quickly into practice at Evans, Berger, & Llewellyn in New York. Realizing he had another calling, and wanting to try his hand at public service, he became the Regional Director of the Small Business Development Corporation, the Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Housing and Development Administration and the Executive Director of the Upper Manhattan Small Business Development Corporation. Disappointed in the slowness of bureaucratic government and determined to be “in charge” of his own future, Mr. Llewellyn jumped at the first chance to buy his own business. The opportunity came along in the form of Fedco Foods.

Fedco Foods, a 10-store chain of supermarkets, would prove to be just the right fit for Bruce. He bought the business in 1969 and expanded it from 10 stores to 29 stores that covered Harlem and the South Bronx. It would become one of the largest minority businesses in the US.

J. Bruce Llewellyn’s career history could be viewed as a virtual microcosm of twentieth-century achievement. He traveled an unconventional path to become the owner of his own business, spent nearly three decades in the public-service sector and built not one but several major successful companies. By 1985, having sold Fedco Foods and partnered with Julius Erving, he became the Chairman, CEO and majority owner of Philadelphia Coca Cola Bottling Co. The company made history when it went from being the 15th largest bottler in the country to being the fourth largest and expanded its territory to include the state of Delaware. He had already bought and sold the ABC-TV affiliate (WKBW) in Buffalo, New York and then in 1986 negotiated the purchase of the New York Times Cable business leaving him the major shareholder in one of the largest cable business in the country. He had become one of the most successful African American entrepreneurs of his generation and paved the way for many to follow.

He served on the board of American Can, Primerica, JP Morgan Chase, Chase, Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co., Adolph Coors Co. and Essence Communications.

His public service career was just as distinguished. President Jimmy Carter tapped him to serve as the President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation requiring confirmation by the United States Senate. He served with the rank of Ambassador for the President’s full term in office and left to join the prestigious law firm of Dickstein, Shapiro & Marin in Washington, DC. He was again tapped by the government to serve on the Russia Fund (Fund for Large Enterprise), the US Small Business Administration Advisory Council on Small Business and President Bill Clinton’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation.

He was famous for saying “education and business are the emancipators of a group of people.” Because of his strong feelings that there needed to be more money available to graduate students in areas that would support business careers, he established a million-dollar scholarship program in the Graduate School of the City University of New York specifically for students in business, computer science and related fields. He served on the board of Graduate Center of the City University of New York and the United Negro College Fund.

Mr. Llewellyn received ten honorary doctorate degrees including ones from City College, New York Law School, and Howard University.

He received numerous awards including The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training International Business Leadership Award, The Business Policy Review Council Corporate Pioneer Award, The 100 Black Men Founders Award, Northside Center’s Mamie Award and the annual Associated Black Charities Black History Makers Award.

In 1998 Mr. Llewellyn, had double open-heart surgery. The resultant complications eventually caused his kidneys to fail. He was placed on dialysis in 2006 and died of renal failure. He was eighty-two years old. He is survived by his wife, Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn, his daughters, Kristen Lisa Llewellyn, Alexandra Clancy, Jaylaan Ahmad-Llewellyn, his sister, and his granddaughter.

Source: http://jbrucellewellyn.com/

Black Entrepreneur Pencils Herself Into Silicon Valley

I’m Tiffani Ashley Bell and I founded Pencil You In as a way to allow hairstylists and makeup artists to accept appointments online and by extension, grow their clientele.

I’ve been programming since I was a kid, but at some point, I realized it was more important to use my technical ability to solve real problems. This all came to a head back in 2008 during my senior year as a computer science major at Howard University.

As graduation loomed closer, I occasionally eschewed track pants and a headscarf thanks to job interviews, presentations, etc. My hairstylist and I played these lovely games of phone tag as I forgot to call him or I’d call him and his appointment book wasn’t at hand. When we finally were in sync, I sometimes ended up with appointments at awkward times (7am, once), if one at all. One could say that I needed to just make my appointments at the end of visits, but this asked too much of the schedule of someone weeks away from graduation. Pencil You In was then conceived as my solution to my hair appointment scheduling woes.

Pencil You In was one project out of several I was working on at one time, but it became evident that it should get 100% of my attention. With that realization, however, came a flood of questions: should I raise money? How does the customer in Tampa’s feedback fit into the vision? Whose advice should I take with a grain of salt and for whose should I go back for seconds?

Eager for answers, I quit my job at the beginning of June to come to the Bay area two weeks later thanks to the NewME Accelerator. After being here for just a month, many of my questions have gotten awesome answers. For others, the answers are revealing themselves as the countdown to Demo Day winds down. I couldn’t have expected more out of being here.

The NewME Accelerator is shifting my entire thought process on running a company (and by extension, living). I’ve met one brilliant person after another (the likes of Navarrow Wright, Jay Jamison, etc.), talked to investors I may have never had the chance to speak to otherwise (Mitch Kapor, for example), and built out my company in an environment where it’s clear everybody appreciates ambition and wants to see success.

Check out Pencil You In to book your look online 24/7/365.

Source: http://newsone.com/nation/technology-nation/tiffanibell/tiffani-bell-pencil-you-in/

Felecia Hatcher, Founder of Feverish Ice Cream Trucks

At 19, serial entrepreneur Felecia Hatcher launched her first business, coaching high-schoolers on how to get into college. But it was a corporate job that laid the groundwork for her latest venture. For several years she organized large, mobile marketing events for companies such as Walgreens and Wells Fargo. Hatcher didn't love being an employee however, so in 2008, at the age of 25, she came up with the creative idea of giving the traditional neighborhood ice cream truck a hip, new twist. Today, her fleet of eco-friendly ice cream trucks can be found at many special events, catering to adult customers with unique, offbeat flavors such as mango-chili, Georgia sweet tea, and margarita.

How Did Hatcher Come Up with This Business Idea?
"[I was] leaving a pool party and there was an old ice cream truck rolling by outside. I took off running [after it], forgetting I was in heels, and fell flat on my face. As I descended to the ground, I thought, 'Man, I am way too old to chase after an ice cream truck' and 'Why hasn't anyone come up with a cooler ice cream truck for adults?'"

What Is the Inner Essence of an Entrepreneur?
"Becoming an entrepreneur was not so much about knowing what I wanted to do, but about knowing what I did not want to do -- and that was sharing a cubicle with two other people waiting on a promotion."

“I never started a lemonade stand at 6 years old, but I always loved creating things.”

What Drives Hatcher?
"The freedom to create and being able to share that creative spirit with others."

She Owes Everything to Her Father
"My father started a construction and development firm 11 years ago. Not until I started my first business did I truly understand what he did and how big of an influence he really was. I came across one of my dad's old notebooks where he had a list of 10 things he wanted to accomplish by 2008. He had accomplished everything and then some. It was a testament to setting goals, writing them down, and then taking action."

The Memory She Most Wants to Forget
"When I first started the business I had this old ice cream truck, a 1973 Chevy P30. It stopped working a week before my very first media feature came out. I was told the truck would cost thousands of dollars to fix, and then the phone began to ring off the hook, which was a dream come true and a nightmare at the same time."

Her Parents Should Have Never Said
"You should just drop this and become a teacher -- it's easy."

The Technology She Loves
"My iPhone and my BFF Google."

Can Hatcher Really Change the World?
"Yes, and that's what I hope to do with ice cream. We give part of our proceeds to charity and sponsor or participate in a variety of charity events. We also speak to students about entrepreneurship and getting into college -- and all the students get ice cream!"

When She Isn't Changing the World, Does She Sleep?
"I usually have to force myself to sleep around 5 or 6 a.m. and I'm up by 9 a.m."

Source: http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/management-personal/14589157-1.html

25 Black Women Entrepreneurs

Shaunie O'Neal

After six years of marriage to basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, Shaunie O’Neal decided to show the world what it’s like to be married to a pro-athlete by creating the much-loved (and loathed) Basketball Wives reality series, which became an instant hit on VH1. She’s also the founder of Amirah productions and designs shoes.

Tasha Smith

Besides acting, this ESSENCE cover girl is the proud owner of Tasha Smith Actors Workshop in Los Angeles. When she’s not working the small screen on Tyler Perry’s sitcom For Better or For Worse, you can catch Smith mentoring up-and-coming actresses.

Birame Sock

Blazing a path in the tech industry, Birame Sock is the CEO and founder of Third Solutions, the marketing company behind MyReceipts.com, which lets users keep track of their receipts online.

Kita and Mo

Kita Williams and Monique Jackson are much more than reality TV personalities — they are the executive producers of the VH1’s The T.O. Show. After three successful seasons, Kita and Mo are expanding their entrepreneurial talents with a beauty brand and empowerment series called “Define Your Pretty.”

Kimora Lee Simmons

Not content to just be her ex-hubby Russell Simmons’ arm candy, fashion model turned entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons was at the helm of influential urban brand Baby Phat for 10 years before walking away to launch the KLS Collection and KLS Design Group in 2011.

Vanessa and Angela Simmons

The Simmons sisters know a thing or two about business. Their uncle Russell is one of the biggest media moguls in the world, and together they run Pastry, a women and kids’ shoe company.

Tina Knowles

Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and opened her own hair salon, Headliners, in Houston before her daughter rose to fame. Today, she has channeled her love of fashion design into two successful lines, House of Dereon and Miss Tina, which is sold exclusively with Home Shopping Network and Walmart.

Kimberly Dillon

Her quest to change the way we use technology led Kimberly Dillon to launch House of Mikko, a website that helps women choose their makeup and hair products based on their features.

Tracy Reese

Fashion designer Tracy Reese took her dreams of owning her own company and made them a reality. Her first attempt at entrepreneurship did not go well, and Tracy was forced to shut down her company, only to come back stronger and more profitable after a relaunch in 1996. Now her brands include her Tracy Reese and Plenty fashion lines, and she has expanded into footwear, home collections and nail polish.

Angela Benton

At just 30-years-old, Internet entrepreneur Angela Benton is already making her mark in the tech industry as the brains behind three web-based startups: Cued, BlackWeb 2.0 and NewMe Accelarator, an “incubator” for minority-owned tech startups.

Mara Brock Akil

The brains behind hit TV shows like Girlfriends, The Game and Moesha, Mara Brock Akil is also the co-founder of Akil Productions with husband Salim Akil, who directed the highly anticipated remake of Sparkle starring Whitney Houston.

Beverly Johnson

Johnson made a splash when she became the first African-American woman to grace the cover of American Vogue in 1971. She extended her love for all things beautiful when she launched the Beverly Johnson Hair Collection of wigs, skin-care and bath/body products.

Corvida Raven

Dubbed the “Oprah of the Web” by her peers, 24-year-old Corvida Raven is a social media entrepreneur and founder of shegeeks.net. She’s also a social media consultant for firms like Chevrolet and Intel and Fast Company .

Sheila Johnson

Johnson made her fortune when she co-founded the BET cable network with her then husband, Bob Johnson. In 2005 she became the first African-American female owner of a WNBA team when she bought into the Washington Mystics basketball team.

Shonda Rhimes

ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honoree Rhimes is the first African-American woman to create and executive-produce a top 10 primetime television series with ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy; she’s also the woman behind Private Practice and is currently developing Scandal, starring Kerry Washington. The Dartmouth graduate is arguably the most powerful Black woman in Hollywood and one of the most sought-after writers and producers in entertainment.

Queen Latifah

Sure, Queen Latifah is a model, actress, musician and ESSENCE cover girl, but did you know she’s an entrepreneur? She’s part owner of Flavor Unit Entertainment, a production company specializing in television (it’s behind VH1’s Single Ladies), movies and artist management.

Cathy Hughes

From teenage mother to media power player, Hughes is the founder of Radio One, which includes 53 radio stations in the U.S., and TVOne, a cable network. At one point during the early stages of her career, she lost her home and was forced to live with relatives as she rebuilt her company into what is now one of the biggest media companies in the world.

Lisa Price

In 1993, Lisa Price started making hair products in her Brooklyn kitchen with just $100. She sold her concoctions at church flea markets and street fairs. Today, her homemade line Carol’s Daughter is a multimillion-dollar line of must-have beauty treats.

Leanna Archer

This Long Island native started her Leanna Inc. haircare line at just 11-years-old. Yes, 11-years-old. Her all-natural organic hair butters and shampoos have helped her earn over $100,000 in revenue. Her small operation thrives with lots of help from her family.

Tina Wells

CEO Tina Wells founded the Buzz Marketing Group in 1996 to help companies capture the youth market’s tastes and attitudes. Her company utilizes social media and trendspotting and other research tools for clients like Nike, Steve Madden and MAC Cosmetics. Wells is also the author of Chasing Youth Culture and Getting It Right.

Madame C.J. Walker

Madame C.J. Walker is best known as America’s first Black female self-made millionaire. A daughter of former slaves, Walker worked in a barbershop for only $1.50 a day before she created a homemade remedy that helped her hair regrow after suffering a scalp condition.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey may be best known for her work as a daytime talk show host, but she’s making waves as the creator of the Oprah Winfrey Network. She’s the second African-American woman to start her own network (after Cathy Hughes). Not to mention, she founded Harpo Productions in the late 80s. Today, Forbes puts her worth at over $2.7 billion.

Janice Bryant Howroyd

Bryant Howroyd founded her employment staffing firm, ACT-1, in 1978 with just $1,500, a small office and a telephone. 34 years later, ACT-1 is the largest American company of its kind owned by a woman of color, with over 70 branches nationwide.

Iman

After 20 years as a revered fashion model, Iman retired from the runway to start her eponymous cosmetics line in 1994 to cater to women of color who struggled to find shades for darker complexions. As of today the line is worth over $25 million and found in more than 10 countries.

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks isn’t just a pretty face. This former Victoria Secret model has taken her good looks to the small screen with several cycles of America’s Next Top Model. In addition, she owns Bankable Productions, an independent TV and production company. In recent months she also launched TypeF, Demand Media fashion and beauty website. On top of all that, she just graduated from Harvard Business school.

Source: http://photos.essence.com/galleries/25_black_women_entrepreneurs

Dr. Melanye Maclin

Dermatologist, Melanye Maclin, M.D., founded Innovative Hair Technology, Inc. in September 1999.

Dr. Maclin created the company based on an initial passion to educate about the science of hair and research natural ingredients that would benefit the hair by nourishing the hair follicles from within. Traditionally, in the beauty industry, there has been an external focus on the care of hair.

Dr. Maclin decided to take an internal approach based on the science of hair and its emergence. Dr. Maclin evaluates natural ingredients that are very unique in their own way. Her initial efforts in 1999 began with the research and evaluation of using marine protein for internal hair improvement for both women and men.
At the early stages of company development, she discovered that skin deserves internal nutritional care as well. In general, Dr. Maclin believes that for the beauty of skin and hair, there are many advantages and benefits to a natural, non-medical approach. By internally nourishing the body with essential nutritional ingredients, it is possible to externally maintain and regain healthier, more beautiful hair and skin naturally

Dr. MaclinBeginning in early 2000, which was the infancy of her company, Dr. Maclin became well-known in the media. Within the first active year, Dr. Maclin was prominent in national and international beauty magazines such as Harpers Bazaar, Madamoiselle, Hype Hair, Try It Yourself Hair, Braids & Beauty, Elle, Redbook and on media outlets such as FOX news, ABC news, and WOL radio, as well as during national and international beauty trade shows.

Additionally, Dr. Maclin is the Medical Director for skin and hair for HYPE Hair, Braids & Beauty, and other hair magazines. She provides ongoing educational editorials to keep readers updated on hair and skin health. She is active in the bridal industry publications by educating about skin and hair and making suggestions as to how brides can be their most beautiful on their wedding day. In addition, she speaks at several beauty and nutrition seminars throughout the area.

Through her exposure in numerous published articles and other media outlets, thousands of clients across the U.S. Have become firm believers in her natural internal nutritional approach for the improvement of hair. Once realizing the results of marine protein, Dr. Maclin began aggressively researching other unique, natural ingredients that would be beneficial for not only hair, but skin as well. She was now on a bath to introduce a new nutritional dimension for more beautiful hair and skin.

Finally, after four years of extensive research and evaluation of special ingredients, Dr. Maclin has created the nutritional supplement, BellaNutri®; “bella" symbolizes beauty and “nutri" is short for nutrition. To date, Dr. Maclin and her professional staff maintain a very personal approach for product education and guidance. She believes in providing customers with accurate and detailed information for long-term benefits. As a result, her company maintains an extremely high consumer satisfaction and reorder rate of the products she promotes. She continues to actively research ingredients for future product development.

Source: http://www.drmaclin.com/

Iman Abdulmajid

Iman is Founder and CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances, a beauty company that created the first cosmetics and skincare collection designed for all women with skin of color.

Launched in 1994, the IMAN brand philosophy holds that women with skin of color represent many races, cultures and ethnicities. IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances are designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades. The brand offers skincare and cosmetics, including 16 foundation shades. IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances are sold throughout the world including the United States, Canada, UK, France, Brazil, Africa, and the Caribbean.

In 2004, IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances announced its strategic alliance with Proctor & Gamble. Under the licensing and distribution agreement, the prestige brand once again broke convention and is now available at mass retailers including Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Duane Reade.

In addition to running a global beauty company, Iman is actively involved in several charities, including The Children's Defense Fund, Action Against Hunger and the RAISE HOPE FOR CONGO campaign, that aims to build a permanent and diverse constituency of activists who advocate for protection and empowerment of Congolese women and girls.

Iman's first book, entitled I AM IMAN (Universe, 2001), was an autobiographical sketchbook of her career that questions "the unserious business of fashion and beauty and its serious affect on identity." Her second book, THE BEAUTY OF COLOR, THE Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color (Putnam Penguin 2005) is the first beauty and makeup book that truly addresses skin tones across the spectrum: Latina, Black, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Native American, as well as multiple ethnicities. She's revolutionized the way women with skin of color think about beauty.

Ever evolving, Iman is co-host of Bravo's "The Fashion Show" this Fall with Isaac Mizrahi. Further broadening her horizon, gleaned from experience and a keen eye, she has designed IMAN GLOBAL CHIC, a line of handbags, jewelry, and fashion accessories sold exclusively on HSN.COM. The line is one of four top sellers among more than 200 fashion and jewelry brands on HSN. Additionally, Iman most recently launched IMAN HOME, a collection of globally influenced fabrics and chic home décor. Most recently, Iman was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) with the prestigious Fashion Icon Award.

Iman began her career in 1975 as a model and has challenged the prevailing notions of beauty ever since. The daughter of an African diplomat, Iman was born in Somalia and grew up speaking five languages. She studied political science at Nairobi University where she was discovered by legendary photographer Peter Beard.

Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue in 1976. Iman was an instant success in the fashion world, and a muse for fashion designers including Yves. St. Laurent, Versace, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. During her 14 years as a model, she worked with top photographers Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Annie Liebovitz.

A mother of two, Iman is married to David Bowie with whom she has a daughter, Alexandria Zahra. Iman's eldest daughter is Zulekha Haywood.

Source: http://imancosmetics.com

Magic Johnson

"Earvin Magic" Johnson has always dreamed of becoming a successful businessman. So, whether he was on the basketball court at Michigan State, winning state championships or as the infamous 32 on the Los Angeles Lakers, winning with his no-look passes — Johnson's dream come true was not far behind.

Although, Johnson is known universally for his illustrious 13-year professional NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, he has re-defined himself as a businessman. To date, Johnson has provided over 20,000 jobs to minorities through his many business ventures. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Development Corporation (JDC), he has provided a sense of hope for Urban America by revitalizing under-served communities — providing quality entertainment services, creating much-needed jobs and employing local minority contractors and service vendors. Since JDC's inception in 1993, they have established a 50/50 partnership with Howard Schultz (Chief Global Strategist of Starbucks) and Starbucks Coffee Company to form Urban Coffee Opportunities (UCO), making him Starbuck's only partner to date. Johnson currently has 92 Starbucks, with a commitment to open up a total of 125 stores by the end of 2006. 100% of the stores are located in ethnically diverse neighborhoods, while a large portion are located in under-served communities.

Through Mr. Johnson's leadership, he formed a partnership with Canyon Capital Realty Advisors LLC to create Canyon-Johnson Realty Advisors LLC, which manages the Canyon Johnson Urban Fund. Johnson serves as managing director, along with Bobby Turner. The fund focuses on urban emerging real estate markets and fostering economic opportunities for the underserved residents of urban neighborhoods in which it invests. In January 2005, the Fund closed on its second round which at $600 million is twice as much as was raised in the first, 2001 go-round. The fund has made or committed to 15 investments utilizing approximately $320 million of its committed capital, facilitating over $1.5 billion of urban revitalization. Projects to date, include Sunset & Vine in Hollywood, CA, Park Place Condominiums and One Hanson in Brooklyn, NY, State Place in Chicago, Midtown Center in Milwaukee, WI, Downtown Dadeland and Miami Free Trade Zone in Miami. He has crossed the barriers of being just an athlete and opened doors for himself and others.

He has also established Magic Johnson Theatres, with six locations opened nationwide (Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Cleveland, Harlem and Largo, Maryland in Prince George's County); Magic's T.G.I.F Fridays (in Los Angeles) and Washington Mutual Bank have opened 26 home loan centers dedicated to helping people build wealth, achieve their financial goals and realize the dream of home ownership in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA and Houston, TX.

Johnson definitely believes in empowering urban America by developing in under-served communities and providing much-needed jobs to minorities. He recently partnered with the Burger King Corporation in a multi-year agreement as a franchisee of 30 restaurants in Atlanta (five), Birmingham (eight), Dallas (14) and Miami (three).

Mr. Johnson also heads Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), which is responsible for the direction and expansion of the Magic Johnson Brand. His business ventures through MJE include Lincoln Mercury, NASCAR (Johnson is co-chair of their Diversity Steering Committee), Burger King, ZMagic, Cadbury Schweppes and 24 Hour Fitness Centers. Johnson can also be seen during the NBA season on TNT as a commentator for the games, along with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

As Chairman and Founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF), Johnson addresses the critical issues of health, educational and social needs of inner-city youth. The non-profit empowers minority communities through advancing and supporting worthy charitable organizations. Johnson provides the inspiration and momentum for the Magic Johnson Foundation Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program that provides college scholarships, mentoring and internships. He has sent over 225 students to colleges (130 are currently in the program) across the country, including top schools like Howard University, Berkeley College at Boston, Morehouse College and Stanford. Many of them have gone on to work for some of the companies that helped to sponsor their education like American Express, SBC, etc. Johnson currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Cancer Society Foundation.

To help bridge the digital divide in low-income communities, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson Empowerment Centers. He currently has 19 centers opened across the country, including sites in Lansing (Johnson's hometown), Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Seattle, Houston and DC, to provide urban communities with access to technology. The MJF also has four AID/HIV clinics located in Los Angeles, Jacksonville, FL, Oakland, CA and San Francisco.

Johnson was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan, where he led Everett High School to a state high school championship in 1977. He then won an NCAA title at Michigan State in 1979 where he was honored with a statue of his likeness unveiled on campus 2003. It was while playing at Everett High School that Johnson earned his now famous moniker, "Magic" from Michigan sportswriter Fred Stabley, Jr. Johnson has proven to the world and to himself that he has been successful in sports. He appeared on his first Sports Illustrated cover before he even entered the NBA draft (he's been on 22 covers to date). He's won five national championships with The Los Angeles Lakers (He is now Owner and Vice-President of the team), three MVP awards, a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, played in 12 NBA All-Star Games, and was recently honored by the STAPLE Center and the NBA with the unveiling of the Magic Johnson statue. Now, Johnson's continued success demonstrates that his magic is a positive force on and off the court.

Mr. Johnson currently resides in Beverly Hills, California, with his wife Cookie and their children, Earvin Johnson, III (EJ), Elisa and Andre.

** Information is correct and updated as of the print date, November 16, 2005. *

Source: http://www.24hourfitness.com/health_clubs/signature_clubs/magic/magic_johnson_bio.html