I truly appreciate every freelance writing opportunity I receive. My latest came in the form of interviewing Chauniece R. Thompson, executive artistic director of Ballet on Wheels (BOW).
Attendees witnessed a future Misty Copeland, Ashley Murphy or Ebony Williams over the Memorial Day weekend as they experienced a magical twist on the broadway classic “Annie” at the Ballet on Wheels Dance School and Company’s End of Year Dance Recital.
Ballet on Wheels Dance School and Company is Memphis’ only non-profit, pre-professional, community-based classical ballet school and youth dance company. Tamia Elliott starred as Annie. (Photo: Courtesy of Ballet on Wheels)
When I was asked if I’d be able to interview Valeshia Butterfield Jones, I calmly responded by saying ‘sure I can do it.’ On the inside, I was screaming with excitement! Here I was, new to the freelance world and having the opportunity to interview one of the most influential black women in the world of technology, equity and young women around the globe. She’s a Google executive, worked as part of the President Obama Administration, a CEO, wife and mother among her many hats. She was in Memphis, TN as the keynote speaker at the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis luncheon.
One of the most impressive points about her is her humble spirit. She’s smart, beautiful, articulate and knows what she knows-well. She speaks with confidence and understands her weight of her platform. There were four of us who were allowed to give an interview. I was the last person to interview her, and I was honestly disappointed because the two more well known press cut into the interview time for myself and another writer. The writer before me was fine with what she heard from the others and had only one question which was indeed different from everyone else.
Our interview felt more like two friends talking. And, I sincerely think she was impressed with the fact that I wanted to know more about WEEN. You should have seen her face light up when I did! Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, or her ‘baby’ as she calls it, was a relevant part of why she was speaking in Memphis in the first place. If you are not already familiar with Mrs. Butterfield Jones, I strongly encourage you to Google her, pun intended!
I do hope to meet her again and possibly work with her. I was very transparent with her about my experiences with domestic abuse, particularly in my late teens/early adulthood and the work I’ve done with young ladies. Her work with WEEN specifically, continues to speak to my heart. But, her overall character is what has been an inspiration to me, and I’m sure, to many of women. Especially to those of us who identify as women of color.
I’m excited to tell you about Kyles Connections: Connecting People, Purpose & Productivity! Formally known as JP Connections, it has been a joy to restructure and rebrand our writing and web design business. We added some new services and a new name, literally! I married my business partner three years ago. I would love to have you read our personal and professional history, learn about our services and connect with us for your business and organizational needs. Here’s a quick look at our why:
PEOPLE. Our clients span across amazing backgrounds and target audiences. Our pricing has been designed to fit various budgets and goals.
PURPOSE. Domestic violence is our personal social cause. We encourage entrepreneurship. We’re committed to elevating your purpose to the next level.
PRODUCTIVITY. We believe in acquisition and retention. We want you to see tangible and measurable results for success and longevity.
One of the best opportunities I’ve ever received as a freelance writer has been my involvement with the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. Living in Memphis has provided a unique, first hand experience for me. During the week long series of events, I was able to sit in a special media room with other journalists and interview two of Dr. King’s children. I will blog about that experience later in the month.
Have you ever considered your relationship with self, family, friends or food? Make plans now to join Katrina Kimble and I for our first joint workshop of 2018! This is not another event, but a journey to whole-person wellness!
Each person’s definition of healthy is as unique as your fingerprint. Come discover what is healthy for you. We will look at our relationship with self, family, friends and food!
We will have open discussions with activities to stimulate and engage you. You will not leave the way you came.
I’m excited to be partnering with Awaken Wellness Consulting on May 5th! Healthy Relationships from the Inside Out is going to be an amazing time of food, fun, fellowship, learning, activities AND some great giveaways.
We’re committed to giving you some great giveaways and takeaways you can use and apply long after you leave the event. Get registered asap, as there are no tickets being sold at the door and we have limited seating for intimate engagement. Register Details can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/healthy-relationships-from-the-inside-out-tickets-45123170618
AWC is awesome, credentialed and we both love what we do. To learn more about Awaken Wellness Consulting, please visit the website, http://www.awakenwellnessconsulting.com/
To know me well is to know my love for movies. In fact, my husband tells me ALL the time that I need to find out how I can get PAID to become a film critic, discover a way to share my writing and love of little known facts, etc…lol I’m not sure where I’d need to start, but I do think I’d enjoy doing it. I’m a huge fan of James Bond, Mission Impossible and Bourne Identity Franchises. If it’s detective based, drama or action, I want to see it. But, there are a few people and movies that are extremely close to my heart for personal reasons. One person-Robert Townsend. One movie-The Five Heartbeats. To meet Mr. Townsend in person, have the opportunity to interview him AND for HIM to sign MY book, was one of the biggest highlights of 2018 but also of my life.
I don’t mean to sound over the top or overly dramatic. But, he’s one of the best storytellers of our time. He’s also one of the most hardworking and talented individuals in the film industry. Black Panther (which I absolutely love and have watched three times) was NOT the first Black Superhero to be featured on the big screen. It was actually Meteor Man, created by none other than Robert Townsend. He’s also known for believing in his own project so much that he went into his own pocket and funded what would later be recognized as the cult classic, Hollywood Shuffle.
When Heal the Hood Foundation brought him to Memphis to lead a panel discussion about film, I was just excited to have the opportunity to hear him share his words of wisdom and MAYBE take a picture with him. I took notes and recorded a couple of points with the intention of going back to see what I could pull from for my own journey. But, after the event, I was hanging around the interview area with my notebook and phone in hand listening to others interview him. All of a sudden, one of the attendants told me I could go ahead and ask my questions, just be quick. Seriously!?! I get to INTERVIEW him? So, of course, I took advantage of it. I’d just applied to be a freelance writer for the TriState Defender a couple of weeks earlier. I submitted it and it got published along with another article. I’d never been a PAID freelance writer before then.
Now, to the picture and him signing my book. He was allowing photos, so I stood in line with the intention of taking a photo with him and giving him my book. But, after listening to him share his insights, I decided to ask him to sign it so I could keep it as a keepsake. He did and gave me some great advice on staying in pursuit of my passions.
All of this is personal because in addition to it being a great movie filled with lessons, it gave me and my children (specifically my oldest) an escape during some dark times in our lives. There was a period where we had no cable and watched a lot of movies. We’d reenact them as well.lol The 5 Heartbeats was definitely one of the favorites. And, because I have been following Mr. Townsend for years, I felt a different kind of connection to the storyline and his vision for the movie. And, in all of this, I think the BIGGEST thrill was that my oldest daughter was able to attend and meet him as well. It was an amazing afternoon of bonding and learning from one of our favorite people.
