Hometown:Columbus,OH
College:University of Georgia
Age: 25 (going on 15 or 30 depending on the day).
Occupation: Professional Track and Field athlete representing Nike and TeamUSA, GE Developing Health Initiative Coordinator and Founder of the Georgia Playbook.
1. Describe your job in three words: Shit, which one?
2. If you could live anywhere in the world it would be?New York City. I grew up in Jersey and feel alive whenever I visit NY. Everything from the people to the food to the diverse culture keeps me loving NY.
3. The most interesting place you ever traveled to: Oslo,Norway. I went there for a track meet a couple years ago expecting to see nothing but a bunch of blonde haired blue eyed people, but the country was actually pretty diverse. Almost like a melting pot. The people, music and food were from all over the world and diversity is an important concept for me.
4. Track aside, what is your favorite sport? Well, track isn’t my favorite sport. I’m dedicated to running and put a lot of work into it, but to be honest I’d rather be doing other things. I’ve been an athlete my entire life and since I was five I’ve played pretty much every sport there is from football to golf. But getting back to the question. If I had to name a favorite sport to play it would be tennis. My favorite sport to watch is football.
5. A perfect day is… Doing absolutely nothing. Sleep in ’til 12, listen to some music and then watch either How to Make it in America or an old school “rising to the top” movie like Cool Runnings.
6. One regret from college: I wasn’t very good with prioritizing things. I wish I went into college on top of my “ish” but I was a big procrastinator and am still trying to shed that habit.
7. You felt on top of the world when: When I won my second SEC 400 meter hurdle title. It happened in 2008, the Olympic year. I ran 48.5 at SECs which was a couple months before the Olympics. The time I ran was the fastest in the world at the time and I thought I was Olympics bound. I didn’t make it to the Olympics, missing the team by .04 seconds, but I really did my thing that year in track and winning SECs had me feeling like I was unstoppable.
8. What do people assume about you? People assume that just because I’m good at running that I must love it. People are always like, “You’re so lucky you get to have a job that you love.”
9. So set them straight: Don’t get me wrong now, I do enjoy the sport and love being competitive, but it’s getting a little old for me. This is my 11th year competing in a sport where the goal of every workout is to bring yourself as close to feeling like you’re going to fall out as possible. It wears you out, physically and mentally. There’s more to me than track and field.
10. In ten years you will be: Chillin’.
Hometown:Atlanta, GA
College:University of Kansas
Age: 23
Occupation: Gloriosa at Serenbe Special Events Manager
1. Describe your job in three words: eventful (no pun intended), dramatic, unique.
2. Did you always know you wanted to be an event planner? No, not at all. I knew I always like to attend parties, but never thought I would be organized enough to actually plan them. Now that I know the amount of work it takes to actuallyput on an event, it makes me appreciate every aspect of the event itself -especially the details! Being an event planner is really fun, but it is also pretty stressful. You are responsible for making sure it all comes together and when something falls through the cracks you are the one that has to take the blame. If anything, being an event planner, especially working with brides…I have gained more patience and learned to take criticism well.
3. A great party must have : alcohol(laughs). I’m kidding, great company.
4. The best party you’ve ever been to was: That is tough because attending a party and throwing a party are two completely different things. The best party I attended…tie between Sam Stein’s Bar Mitzvah at Fernbank Museum and the Piedmont Ball in 2009. Gloriosa recreated Prince Charles’ Highgrove Garden for the Piedmont Ball and it was an absolute dream.
5. One perk of your job? One perk is the work atmosphere. Everyone at Gloriosa is a team and we all support each other to ensure the events’ success. I am lucky to be able to work with such creative visionaries. I am always blown away by the ideas my co-workers come up with whether it be a culinary expression, floral creation, or design focal point. Being surrounded by creative people constantly inspires new ways of approaching events such that no event is alike. Being able to take a client’s idea and make it come to life is such a rewarding andfun process.
6. You indulge in:Chips and dips. They are my absolute favorite thing and I essentially subsist off of them.I want an active chip and dip station at my wedding one day. No really! Black eyed pea hummus, a variety of salsas, spinach and artichoke brulee, fig ricotta bruschetta- you name it.
7.Craziest request from a bride? I am constantly blown away by the requests I get from clients. One of the craziest requests I ever got was from a bride whose wedding was in May at an outside venue. She wanted turtle doves in antique bird cages to serve as the table centerpiece. As ridiculous as I thought this sounded, we worked hard to accomplish it. I outsourced around thirty doves and put them in these very cool, eclectic birdcages. Well with the heat and ventilation, some of the birds started to die on the tables. Not only were some birds dead, but they were also pooping ten inches away from your food plate. Lesson learned: no live animals will ever be part of a table centerpiece again.
8. You throw extravagant parties, but what brings you back down to earth? I enjoy planning these over the top events, however I think what has helped keep me grounded is my trip to Haiti in March 2011. I went to Haiti, LaGonave Island specifically, for a mission trip with my family and eight other volunteers. We spent our time passing out routine medicines and clothing, in addition to spending time with the children. It was such a humbling experience as the people in Haiti have so many everyday challenges to overcome. I am amazed at how they do it. My trip truly made me realize how lucky I am and to really appreciate all the blessings in my life.
9.What do you do in your free time? During my free time I now play with my golden retriever puppy, Wynnie. I have only had her for three weeks and she is a handful to say the least. IfI’m not hanging out with her, I am hanging out with my friends, traveling, going to dinner, relaxing and trying to live the life of a twenty-three year old. I’m going skiing this weekend for a friend’s birthday so definitely looking forward to that.
10. In 10 years you will be…What will I be doing in ten days? Hopefully in ten years I will have traveled the world and made it back to Atlanta ready to settle down.
*If you want more information about the Haiti Relief project and the many opportunities, please visit http://lagonavepartners.org/2012/01/and-were-off/
Hometown: Jonesboro, GA
College: Mercer University Graduate: Boston University
Age: 29
Occupation: Victim Assistance Specialist for Homeland Security Investigations
1. Describe your job in three words: Fluid, overwhelming, fulfilling.
2. So, what exactly do you do? Assist victims of human trafficking, child sex tourism, child pornography and other violent crimes. I conduct interviews of survivors of these types of crimes and help link them to appropriate resources while my agency initiates federal investigations against the criminals. I help victims with trial prep and their victim impact statements during prosecution. I am also responsible for conducting outreach and trainings to law enforcement, attorneys, medical professionals, social service providers, students, and the general public about human trafficking. The trainings I give are on the local, state, regional, national, and international level. The purpose of these trainings is to give a basic understanding of human trafficking to each of the agencies that can assist this particular population.
3. What can people do to help? Educate oneself and help promote awareness of the issue of human trafficking…look beneath the surface.
4. What keeps you going? Knowing that the individual I am assisting has a higher likelihood of striving and becoming self-sufficient and stable since they are removed from their victimization.
5. How has your upbringing influenced your work? I was raised by both parents who immigrated to the United States thirty years ago. I believe that because of their struggles and obstacles they faced in becoming acclimated to U.S. culture, I naturally gravitated towards wanting to assist the immigrant population. In my current position I work with undocumented, immigrant victims of federal crimes so I feel like I am, in a way, being the voice to the voiceless.
6. People take this for granted: Our freedom and ability to make choices freely.
7. Favorite book? Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy.
8. One thing you would change about the world? I wish that greed would be replaced by love.
9. You know this to be true: With every difficult situation that God presents to an individual, it is only an addition to the strength that is being built onto that individual…you are not given more than you are capable of handling.
10. In ten years you will be…married with 3 healthy children and completing my work at Headquarters in DC before moving elsewhere to settle down.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/opinion/how-pimps-use-the-web-to-sell-girls.html?ref=opinion
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
College: Parsons
Age: 23
Occupation: Head of Product Development, Giles and Brother by Philip Crangi
1. Describe your style in three words?
Eclectic, original, accessorized.
2. Best fashion advice you’ve ever received?
Be yourself and take risks- get inspiration from EVERYTHING, not only fashion.
3. Favorite place you’ve visited?
Impossible to say one place! The most beautiful- Con Dao, Vietnam. The most inspiring- Paris, France. The most stimulating- Tokyo, Japan.
4. What do you do in your free time?
Travel and take in everything I possibly can. Living in New York we are blessed with constant change, innovation, activity, and fresh ideas. I enjoy cooking, dining and partying with friends and family, staying active, creating things, shopping, and keeping my puppy, Balthazar out of trouble!
5. All time favorite restaurant?
Yikes- another hard one! I must admit I tend to judge restaurants more on ambiance than food, much to the dismay of my “foodie” friends. My mother’s kitchen has the most delicious, comforting cuisine. I love going with big groups to Roberta’s in Brooklyn. When in Hong Kong I always make a point to eat at Spices in Repulse Bay- the views of the sea are spectacular. Fresh coconut water and the Thai noodles are delicious. I could go on for days about other favorite places…
http://www.therepulsebay.com/en/dining_1.asp and http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/dining/reviews/27unde.html
6. Perk of your job?
An amazing, most dynamic boss and mentor, Philip Crangi- every day is a new excitement!
7. You are inspired by…
EVERYTHING, EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE- I am most inspired by things unfamiliar to me, I love discovery- its necessary for my well-being.
8. Coolest thing you’ve ever made?
A necklace for a New York Fashion week show. LVMH and Milk studios put on a show and I won the opportunity to custom design a necklace for the event.
9. Your all time favorite piece of jewelry is…
I have my classic, everyday pieces that I never take off, they are a part of me; gold tiny St. Christopher on my all time favorite super fine ball chain, my mother’s vintage signet ring, Cartier trinity ring, and a man’s watch. When it comes to fun, statement jewelry I am in love with a necklace my boss made years ago, black African record beads with a big silver bead and Diamond Pave rings.
10. In ten years you see yourself…
Hopefully I will continued to be blessed to see the world, surrounded by loved ones, happy and positive and in love…and creating my own brand encompassing everything creative!
Hometown: Del Mar, CA
College: University of Michigan
Age: 23
Occupation: Analyst at Credit Suisse Securities
1. Describe your job in three words: Exciting, Fast-paced, calculating.
2. Favorite class from undergrad: Economic Sociology.
3. You’re from Cali, but went to school in Michigan. Do tell. My brother went to law school at Michigan and he had an influence on where I applied to undergrad.
4. You would trade lives with this person: Mark Zuckerberg.
5. What do you do for fun? Surf and cook.
6. Um, are you a man of few words? Yes.
7. Thoughts on Occupy Wall Street? Ridiculous. Anti-capitalist hippies that are causing more problems by sitting around not doing anything rather than looking for a job. Join the capitalist country, not a free-loading socialism one.
8. I think I found your button too late in my interview. So do they have any legitimate points? They have a right to be mad about Wall Street executives paying lower taxes than most middle class families and mainly having a large influence on Washington through lobbying. All valid points, but it’s really how they go about voicing their concerns.
9. Okay any tips on getting rich? Learn how to budget yourself and understand the global economy and how to invest.
10. In ten years you will be…A partner in a hedge fund or retired living on a beach in Orange County.
Wait, retired at 33? I would love to retire but I’ll probably have a senior position at a firm or start my own.
Hometown: Atlanta,GA
College: Morehouse College
Age:26
Occupation: Global Marketing Specialist, NBA
1. Describe your job in three words: market, NBA, globally.
2. You work for the NBA. In five sentences tell me what that lockout was about. If it takes any longer than that I’m either bored or confused.
To continue the successful long term viability of the NBA, the owners wanted a business model that allowed for every team to have a chance to be competitive and pursue championships. The players agreed but wanted to ensure that in solidifying this business model, the players were adequately compensated for their role in the making the NBA as successful as it currently is and will grow to be in the future.
3. People don’t give this player enough credit:
Allen Iverson. The guy is 6 ft., 165 lbs., yet is arguably the toughest player in NBA history. Despite his diminutive physical stature and battling every conceivable injury, he had a Hall of Fame career and was unstoppable during his prime.
4. You felt accomplished when you:
When I ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain this past summer. It was a lifelong dream, so to actually do (and survive) it felt pretty special.
5. Scale of 1-10 how motivated are you? How do you sustain it?
10; I only have one life and no one cares about it more than I do.
6. A Morehouse Man is…
a man who believes his purpose extends beyond serving his personal self-interests. There is a greater responsibility to improve the lives of others, and he acts accordingly.
7. What’s on your mind?
Making it to the weekend.
8. Your parents always told you to:
Acknowledge the incredible roles of God and other people in your life; nothing that you have accomplished or will accomplish was the result of only your individual efforts.
9. In one year you will be…
10. In ten years you will be…
a sports marketing executive, married and a father.
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
College: University of Tennessee
Age: 23
Occupation: Senior Analyst at Home Depot
1. Describe your job in three words: challenging, cube, life
2. Okay, your most challenging day at work was: I was on the job for three weeks…fresh out of college… and I had to order all of Home Depot’s spring imports for pottery, planters, and fountains. My first order had to be cut and I was forking over 24 million dollars. I was having such severe anxiety thinking about money in terms of a 20 year old. Everyone kept telling me it was fine, but I was playing with so much money and I was so scared!
3. Any meaningful experiences at work? Last April I was the analyst scheduled to cover emergency orders for a week and the day before I took on this responsibility all of the tornadoes broke loose across the southeast. Then there was severe flooding in the Midwest. I was absolutely slammed working from 7 am to 10 pm for ten days and I was drained. On my last day of emergency coverage someone came in who had been working with Home Depot and it was so gratifying to know that my work was helping people get the supplies that they needed. It really put things in to perspective.
4. Have you ever had to actually work in the store? For orientation every Home Depot corporate associate has to work in their local Home Depot for a full shift. I got there and at that point I knew absolutely nothing. I’m not big into home repairs and people would come up to me talking about installation and I would smile politely and say “Let’s find someone who does!”
5. What was it like going to a big southern college? It was a blast. I was in my hometown and there was such a sense of camaraderie going to an SEC school.
6. Most exciting thing you’ve ever done? Skydiving in Australia.
7. This job would be hard for you: I could never be a nurse. My mom and my sister are both nurses, but I just couldn’t follow suit. I am terrified of blood!
8. How would your friends describe you? They would say I’m honest, laid back, and out-going.
9. Have you been anywhere fun recently? I actually just got back from Key West and earlier in the fall I took a road trip from L.A. to Napa and everywhere in between.
10. In ten years you will be… Well traveled.
Hometown:Atlanta,GA
College: Syracuse University
Age: 27
Occupation: Associate producer with CNN radio and contributing reporter for CNN Showbiz
1. Describe your job in three words. Challenging, unpredictable and educational.
2. You write because…I was born to. Do you really think that? Yes, wholeheartedly. Well more so born to share stories with the world. Corny, but true.
4. CNN. That’s very legit. Do you feel legit? (laughs) At work, yes. Outside of work, I’m like everyone else trying to figure it out.
5. The coolest person you’ve ever met? Wow. That’s tough. I’ll say this. The meanest person was Melvin Van Peebles and the nicest so far wasKiller Mike, but Melvin wasn’t for CNN.
6. Note to self: don’t include him on 70 tysomeones. What was so mean about him and what was so nice about Killer Mike? He [Melvin Van Peebles] kicked me out of the press room after the interview. He cussed me out during the interview and told me to speak up. I was half a foot away from the man and I’m not a quiet dude. Killer Mike is one of the most thoughtful people I’ve interviewed and when he says “let’s get together and grab a drink some time” he means it. He’s also very smart and a great conversationalist.
7. What’s on your iPod? ASAP Rocky, Theophilus London, Ra Ra Riot, and 2 Chainz. In heavy rotation.
8. The best article you’ve ever written and why? I have two, cool? Let’s hear them. In college I was an editor at The Daily Orange in Syracuse,NY and I wrote about the Saranac Brewery, which is like they’re Sweetwater, but much bigger. I interviewed the CEO, went to the brewery, and the article got rated as the one of the five best of the year for the entire paper. The second would be the story I did last year on rapper Lil B and his “I’m Gay” album.
9. Well, what’d he say? It was a Q&A and podcast putting the young kid on the spot. He was the most honest person I’ve spoken to and then a whole rap beef started between him and Rhymefest because of my article to the point where Rhymefest’s folks reached out to me asking to for Lil B’s contact and wanted to have a truce panel on sexuality in hip-hop and have me moderate. Oh, the internet just went nuts. Vibe had a piece called hip-hop quotables and it was all about the “jewels” Lil B dropped in our interview. When folks make an article off of your story that’s a great feeling.
10. In ten years you will be….covered in more tattoos.
Ewww really?(laughs) Nah I’ll stop at three. I have a writer tattooed on my arm- an Egyptian Scribe to be exact. They were some of the first storytellers and journalists of our time and it’s hard to top that.
Does your mom like your tattoo? Wait, do men even listen to their moms? She was a little put off when she saw the art, but when I explained why I got it she was more into it. I’m told I come from the “Drake generation” where we actually care about and listen to women and I get that from momma- pun intended.
The infamous Lil B interview and podcast: http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/24/lil.b.album/index.html?iref=storysearch
Gavin’s blog, MurderHeWrote: www.murderhewrote.wordpress.com
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
College: University of Michigan
Age: 24
Occupation: Youth development facilitator- Peace Corps Perú
1. Describe your job in three words: Eye-opening, challenging, enriching.
2. Tell me about your work in Peru. I live in the small city of Nazca where I work with various organizations and develop projects to support the youth of the community. On a typical day, I work in the schools, with the Red Cross, and a group of child laborers.
3. The best thing about America: The safety and security- physically, financially, psychologically.
4. The worst thing about America: The various forms of growing inequality that are making the US less competitive in the world – economic, educational, racial, etc.
5. What have you learned about the world through traveling? Languages, cultures, histories, our unifying similarities, and intriguing differences. Mainly, I’ve learned that travel is the best education we can receive.
6. Would you rather live for a week in the past or the future? Why? I would definitely live for a week in the future to see how humanity and the world have progressed in positive ways. I would love to see the social and technological advancements that will be achieved in the next century.
7. Who had the biggest influence on your life? My mother. She is the most passionate person I know and she has showed us the importance of doing work that we love that will hopefully leave some sort of positive impact on the world.
8. What do you do for fun? Read, travel, photography, explore, but I especially love just spending time with friends and family, even if we’re doing nothing but enjoying each others’ company.
9. Your biggest regret? Don’t have any, all experiences (positive and negative) help shape who we become. One of my favorite quotes, “I don’t regret not regretting regrets.”
10. In ten years you will be…Living in some new part of the globe, doing work that I love, possibly starting a family, and as always, still learning and exploring.
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
College: Boston College
Age: 23
Occupation: (Sports) Marketing, Pepsi
1. Describe your job in three words: brands, marketing, sports.
2.Finish my sentence. Education is… never-ending .You’re constantly learning whether in school or on the job.
3. Tell me your life story in under ten sentences. Born in upstate New York – my dad’s family is from Syracuse, NY, mom’s from the Congo. Have two older sisters and one younger sister. I moved to Africa when I was four and have lived in Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire and then Kenya since I was ten (parents still live there). I went to Boston College and now live in New York and work at Pepsi.
4.When you tell people you grew up in Kenya, they usually say… Kenya?
5. What was it like growing up in Kenya? Pretty dope – best experience my parents ever gave me. On one hand, it’s just an amazing opportunity to see so much of the world whether you travel around Africa or to and from Europe on the way to the US. On the other hand, meeting so many different people and growing up interacting with other cultures is a very intimate and rich education in social relations. At the end of it all, the people were the most memorable and they made my time in Kenya so awesome.
6. Americans biggest misconception about Africa? That Africa’s a country-seriously.
7. Africans biggest misconception about America? That it’s all desert or savannah.
8. You helped start a soccer camp in Kenya. What inspired you to do this? Won’t lie, part of the motivation was money – my friends and I needed summer jobs and obviously as kids we wanted to do so while having some fun. Mostly though, there weren’t any sports specific camps in Kenya – the kids at my school (attended an international school) that could would go back to the US, or wherever home was, for the summer to attend camp. So we decided we could hold a little clinic for some elementary students at our school . It was a great way to get these kids started on soccer with the training we had learned and obviously pay us a little money.
9. You pursued a triple major. Tell me more. I enrolled in the business school and really liked marketing, but I also wanted to learn more about leadership management. It was a major I felt would help me in my career. To fulfill my core requirement, I took a psychology class and just really liked learning about individual and social behavior so decided to add that as a major as well.
10. In ten years you will be… just happy and healthy, I hope.
Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI
College: University of Michigan
Age: 24
Occupation: Advertising associate at Google
1.Describe your job in three words. I’m constantly learning.
2.What do you google the most? How to get from point A to point B.
3. Google is known for having an awesome work environment. What is it like? Just that-awesome. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, masseuse, laid back managers, overall a laid back atmosphere. It is a very collaborative environment and open to new ideas. Everyone is very young, and has a very work hard and play hard mentality. The dress code is casual everyday. I can walk in wearing jeans and a t-shirt and no one looks at you twice. The micro kitchens are always stocked with Gatorade, fruit, cereal, coffee, tea…anything you could want. We sit on big bouncy balls at our desks and our floor is decorated in a jungle theme, the list really goes on!
4. Growing up you always thought you’d be…a lawyer. I watched a lot of Matlock growing up and I thought his job was sweet. Always catching the bad guy.
5. Interesting fact about yourself? I hate that question. I can’t do back flips or anything too crazy. But I’m fluent in Farsi, and my boyfriend thinks that’s cool.
6.What do you think about people in their thirties? I think they have their ish together. It is an interesting age because some people are well established with families of their own and others are still trying to make their way. It seems like an interesting time. I’m not looking forward to it though (laughs)
7. What makes you mad? Ignorant people, but part of me can’t be mad at them because of their upbringing and influences. Unfortunately it still makes me mad, but I know it probably shouldn’t. I just wish people could walk a day in another person’s shoes before passing judgment or generalizing.
8. What makes you happy? Oh, a lot of things. Especially the little things. At work I get happy when an advertiser tells me how helpful I’ve been or hearing inspiring stories. I can’t tell you how much that can make my day. Overall what makes me happy are good surprises, traveling, family, friends, my boyfriend, and a home cooked Persian meal.
9. Your new year’s resolution? I had so many of them. One was to read three news articles a night. Another was to always have a book even if I’m not reading it consistently. And to not makes excuses for anything.
10. In ten years you will be…Good question. Ask me in 2022 and I’ll tell you.
Hometown: Saratoga Springs,NY
College: Syracuse University
Age: 23
Occupation: BAE Systems – Operations Leadership Development Program (OLDP)
1. Describe your job in three words. Dynamic, far-reaching, evolving.
2. What’s the coolest thing about your job? I really like the freedom, responsibility, and leadership opportunities I get with my position. I’m in a three-year leadership program where I get to try a new position with increasing responsibility each year. Currently I’m a supply chain project planner for a manufacturing transition initiative. I coordinate the activities necessary to move the production of different product lines from one facility to another – with vast geographical separations being a major challenge.
3. How often do you travel for work? It comes and goes in spurts, but it’s still usually at least once a month. Most of the time I travel from Austin up to the East Coast.
4. You’re in Austin, TX. What is Austin like? Austin is crazy! It’s like nowhere else I’ve ever been. It’s also a really fun place to do outdoor activities like wakeboarding, boating, golfing, and hanging out by the lake. The food is also awesome –Austin has these really good food trailers all over the place. I don’t even eat out at restaurants, the trailers are better.
5. Your favorite food? Since moving to Austin I’ve become addicted to Mexican food without even realizing it. The other day I had breakfast tacos, chipotle for lunch, and tacos for dinner. Didn’t even think twice about it…
6. In a previous life you were a… star shortstop for the Yankees. I won 5 World Series titles and donated all the money I made to charities.
7. What did you love so much about Syracuse? You did love it right? Did you even have to ask if I loved it!? Of course I did. Syracuse is amazing. I’d go back to freshman year in a heartbeat. It’s a great school academically and it gave me lots of opportunities I may not have gotten anywhere else. It has a beautiful campus, fun people, a vibrant nightlife, the Carrier Dome, and one of the greatest college basketball programs ever!
8. The last movie you saw…Jackie Brown.
9. Are you afraid of anything? Hmm. Two things come to mind. It may sound kind of crazy for someone who travels a lot but in the back of my mind I’m always a bit nervous about plane crashes, even though I love flying and want to get my pilot’s license. The other thing is I’m kind of freaked out about sharks…definitely watched Jaws and shark week too much.
10. In ten years you will be…In the wise words of Drake, I just wanna be successful.
Hometown: Flint,MI
College: University of Michigan
Age: 24
Occupation: Owner of The Dirty Wolverine and shoe saleswoman on the side
1. Describe your job in three words: exhilarating, dynamic, rewarding!
2. What is Flint like? It’s a very small city. Everyone knows everyone. It’s rough around the edges, but houses a great history in regards to culture and art.
3. Did you grow up knowing you would go to U of M? Originally, I thought I wanted to go to an Ivy league. This was based on what I had heard in movies and on TV. When I got old enough to actually start thinking of applying to schools and taking college entrance exams, the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago were my top two. UMich won out in the end!
4. Finish the sentence. Art is… life.
5. Start talking about The Dirty Wolverine please. The Dirty Wolverine is a company I started in 2010 while living in Brooklyn,NY. It was birthed from not only my love for vintage Michigan clothing, but also other people’s responses to the clothing. I began selling vintage clothing at a massive and very popular flea market called the Brooklyn Flea. When I moved back to Michigan I launched a series of pop-up boutiques ( temporary shopping environments) in Ann Arbor. The community wholeheartedly embraced the idea of educating people about second hand clothing as a more Eco-friendly alternative! After the great success of Michigan pop-up boutiques, The Dirty Wolverine will begin curating events in other parts of the US. The first traveling boutique will be at Harvard University this spring.
6. What have you learned about yourself from this job? I’ve learned that I value community organizing and collaboration! I’ve worked at jobs or internships that were rewarding, but nothing is more rewarding than making your own dream into reality. I’m passionate about the work that I do, so it doesn’t really feel like work at all.
7. Some would say it’s ugly, but you find this intriguing: taxidermy.
8. You lived in Japan. Tell me about this experience. I had a job as an English teacher. The unfortunate thing is that during my training for this job, I experienced the worst earthquake in Japanese history. Three days after packing up my life and moving to Japan, the country was in turmoil because of an earthquake, followed by a tsunami, and to top it off, nuclear issues. I was in Japan a total of 10 days, after which I decided to return to the US where I felt safer.
9. Delta just gave you a flight voucher. Where are you going? Hawaii! I’m intrigued by the beauty of such a place, and have wanted to go there for years.
10. In ten years you will be… Overseeing the successful operations of The Dirty Wolverine as it curates various artistic and community oriented events.
If you’re thinking…But, Robin! I want to learn more about The Dirty Wolverine. Click here: http://thedirtywolverine.tumblr.com/ and here http://www.thedirtywolverine.com/
Hometown: Fayetteville, GA
College: Morehouse College
Dental School:Columbia University
Age: 26
Occupation: Dentist
1. Describe your job in three words: Does anybody ever say, “I need one!” (laughs) J.C. answer the question. pretty damn cool.
2. What’s a typical day like? As a fourth year dental student I wake up around 6:30ish. I try to go into the clinic and take care of any last minute lab work I need to do before I see the first patient of the day. If some of my classmates are around we usually run to McDonalds. I see patients from 9-5 or 9-7 depending on the day. Then I take care of more lab work. I go to the gym. Wait, I haven’t done that in two weeks.Then I go home and catch up on some shows on Hulu. That’s it. And then repeat.
3. Do you eat fast food a lot? I go through blocks. Like little segments. If I work out consistently then I don’t, but if something big is coming up and it’s occupying a lot of my time then I’m more likely to grab fast food. The big thing is going to the bar which results in eating crappy, unhealthy food.
4. Do you want me to say that part about the bar? Yes you can say that. Thanks for asking. I feel like most journalists are like oh, you said it-THAT’S FAIR GAME!
5. What do you think about journalists? I feel like they have their place. They can be cool because they help people tell their stories,but at the same time I don’t know how much I really trust them. It seems like they have too much power to manipulate the conversations to make someone appear as the person they want them to. If they want someone to look evil then they can chop and paste. Or if it’s an interview like this nobody’s here besides me and you so no one will know what I really said. It’s kinda like reading a text message.You can read the same line three different ways. If you don’t add an emoticon then you don’t really know what the person said. And I’m still mad that I’m like the last one to be interviewed. But you didn’t even know about the blog! How was I supposed to know. Was I supposed to like google Robin Beck?
6. Okay what would come up If I googled you? Well, I googled myself and I guess I really fell off. That’s depressing. Makes you wonder what you’re doing with your life. But there are some awesome Jonathan Elmores out there. I think one is in real estate…or law. I can guarantee you that he’s not as cool as I am.
7. So you really like teeth? They’re alright. I like medicine and overall health. With dentistry it goes beyond teeth. You deal a lot with the head and neck part of the body, but you are still responsible for their overall health. A lot of diseases can be discovered based off of things that show up in your mouth.
8. Was that a stupid question? No.You’d be surprised how many times I get that question. It’s like no I really like feet and I got confused as to what I signed up for!
9. Thoughts on ADD? Let me tell you what I think. I think it is real, but I don’t think it is as prevalent as it comes off to be. Like I don’t think there are that many people walking around with ADD. When I was doing research I met another researcher who said she had ADD and she told me about things that happened to her…like she’d be driving and almost blank out for a second or her mind would wander and she’d be like oh, snap, how’d I get to the red light? She said she needed it to focus and keep her mind under control. So I do think there are people out there, but on the same note I feel that a lot of people are using it as a bailout and taking advantage of how easy doctors will say ADD. I feel like some people growing up would run to be diagnosed in an attempt to get extended time for tests and things. Although I do feel, I want to reiterate this, some people did need it to get the opportunity to perform well…the world does not function on extended time. If you’re in surgery and someone’s crashing you don’t have extended time. Not to say they can’t be doctors. There’s gotta be doctors who have it, but they have found a way to handle their disorder. I feel like you are trying to be as nice as possible. Do you do that a lot? Yes. Well you want to say things in a way that don’t attack people.
10. In ten years you will be…fucking rich. Just kidding. Ten years? Hopefully, settling into my profession. All I ask and this is foreal…all I ask is to be satisfied with where I am and what I’m doing, but still with an urge to desire and learn more. Oh, wait! Does your mom read this blog?Mmhm.Then please change fucking rich to freaking.
No J.C. I’m not one of those journalists who manipulates the conversation. The word stands. (We both laugh)
Hometown: Peachtree City, GA
Age: 26
Occupation: Race car driver
1. Describe your job in three words. Exciting, non-stop, and rewarding.
2. How did you get involved in racing? I started when I was six years old because my family was involved in racing. When I first started I didn’t know that I would be racing the rest of my life. A lot of hard work and time was put into it by family,friends, and myself to move up through my young years. The older I got the more I wanted to race for a living and was able to get the chance to do that.
3. What was your best day in racing so far? My best day in racing is the first Daytona 500 I was in. It was very cool to reach the biggest race in American racing and have the opportunity to be there.
4. Do you have a lot of speeding tickets? I am happy to say I have zero speeding tickets.
5. What kind of car do you drive? My Tahoe is pretty reliable and I can fit all my dogs in there.
6. You got to do what you love right out of high school, but did you ever think about having a “typical” college experience? I did go to college for one semester and was going to try and do both. With racing having such a hectic schedule it was impossible to do both so I had to quit school. I was way more interested in doing what I loved than having a normal college experience.
7. You hear the starting gun and take off. What is that feeling like? Once we start our engines I get focused and lose most of my nerves.
8. Biggest fear? Not being able to race the rest of my life.
9. The best vacation you ever had was…My best vacation was going to Hawaii and seeing how beautiful it was there.
10. In ten years you will be…In ten years I hope to have a family and still be doing what I love for a living.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
College: Howard University
Law School: Georgetown University
Age: 25
Occupation: Third year law student. I’m currently in my last year of law school and working as a student attorney for seven juvenile clients involved with delinquency issues in DC Superior Court. Their charges range from aggravated assault to sexual assault.
1. Describe your job in three words. Unpredictable. Frustrating. Rewarding.
2. Tell me about your experience at Howard and what is the biggest difference between Howard and Georgetown? I loved my experience at Howard. I think it was critical in my development as a person and particularly as an African-American woman. There is nothing like an experience at an HBCU in terms of the lifetime relationships I have built with friends and professors. Howard gave me an opportunity to really be nurtured by faculty and engage in experiences that I might not otherwise have—from study abroad in South Africa and Egypt to winning first place for my senior thesis. I truly believe going to Howard was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
HBCUs are special places in terms of the population of individuals who attend the school and all of the sub-cultural elements that exist within that environment. Georgetown Law is similar in that there is a very unique population (crazy is a requirement for law school admission) and cultural aspects that are unique to law school. One of the biggest differences is the workload. There’s a steep learning curve during the first year of law school. Other than the workload, I would say I definitely had a tough adjustment to hearing some of my Georgetown classmates’ insights on minorities and poverty-stricken individuals.
3. You knew you wanted to be in law school because…I had nothing else to do. I kid, but I wanted to be in law school because I wanted to challenge myself. I sincerely believe that there is a value in understanding the law, and there is power in being able to use the law to shape the course of people’s lives.
4. What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about socio-economic and racial justice, particularly race and poverty’s effect on individuals involved in the criminal justice system. I love working with youth. Writing. I recently started a writers’ collective, and members of the group share and edit each other’s work. I also love live music and a good beer. I plan to start brewing soon.
5. What was it like growing up in Atlanta? I loved growing up in Atlanta, and since I’ve been in DC, I really value the type of upbringing I had as far as schools and even the physical space to just be a kid. I especially loved going to The Children’s School, and I loved growing up with my brother and sister. I’m definitely proud to be southern.
6.Your brother was killed in 2005. How did it change your view of the world? Other than being the most difficult experience of my life, I think that Amaan’s death continues to teach me to appreciate the people in my life, to value time, and to choose to forgive. He definitely was a person who lived each moment of his life as if it was his last, and I continue to use his philosophies in life to motivate myself. In regards to my career, his death has allowed me to have a greater empathy with both victims and criminals. My work in criminal defense has definitely been shaped by my family’s experience and working with criminal defendants has helped me to forgive the individuals that murdered Amaan.
7. Your grandmother always told you…Don’t take no wooden nickels.
8. You don’t understand this: Men. And the rule against perpetuities.
9. Thoughts on love? Love is beautiful, powerful stuff. It’s definitely one of my aspirations to manifest love in everything that I do. As far as romantic love, see the answer to my above question.
10. In ten years you will be…a practicing lawyer, a published author, traveling often, married with three children, and owner of a golden retriever named Basquiat.
Hometown: Brighton, MI
College: University of Michigan
Age: 24
Occupation: Head of Marketing, Mobile Roadie
1. Describe your job in three words. Marketing.Mobile. Supercalifragilistickexpialadocious.
2. When you were in the first grade what did you want to do? First grade – I wanted to be Peter Pan. Turns out, it’s a real job for this guy.
3. You were president and founder of mybandstock.com. Tell me more about this. What made you create this site? It started off as a way to invest in bands, as a way to support local music but also cash out if a band made it big. Unfortunately, the SEC wouldn’t have liked it too much so we did what is called a “pivot” and changed up our model to create a frequent flyer mile program for the music industry. Bandstock was like miles, in that you earned more miles the more you interacted or purchased from artists.
4. Who is going to be the next up and coming artist? What makes you think this? Alexz Johnson, Theo Katzman, Wilson, Kye Kye. I’m a bit biased because I work with them and know them personally. Alexz/Theo are super soulful singer songwriters with a pop flavor, and Wilson is a hard hard rock/metal band that won Best Rock Band of Detroit this year. Kye Kye is a fantastic indie band fromPortland that sorta sounds like a more grounded / indie rock version of Frou Frou / Imogen Heap. All super hardworking, awesome artists.
5. Sometimes I feel like the only people who love L.A. are the people from L.A. True or False? What do you think about the city? Love LA. I’ve been here a lot growing up and also in college because my uncle lives here. I actually created Mybandstock when I was working for a producer while doing an internship in LA…but you have to be able to make the city work for you. Small towns/other cities are much more giving than LA. Plus, you can’t beat the sunshine,beaches, or music scene.
6. If your life was a song what would it be? Beverly Hills by Weezer. The irony is fantastic.
7. One word to describe people in their twenties? LIVING.
8. The most creative music video out there belongs to…The MOST is super hard. One of my favorites is Gotye’s video, which is the reason the band got the huge groundswell for “Somebody That I Used to Know“, a song that they can’t stop playing on the radio. And I’m going to make that super dumb hipster comment and say that I watched that video months before it got big-moooonths….
9. If you had five minutes of fame, what would you want it to be for? It’s kinda weird because he’s a friend of mine, but I would love to sing with Darren Criss on stage as a cameo. Maybe he will read this, I’m not really embarrassed about it (laughs) but it’s true. When I was 16 years old, acting and singing in plays…if I knew I could have his life (character on Glee, signed to Columbia records), I may have kept up with musical theatre. But alas, he’s fantastic for his part and I love where my life has taken me.
10. In ten years you will be…the Chief Marketing Officer of Mobile Roadie, managing musical acts, probably married with maybe a kid or 2, living in California, possibly formulating my next tech startup idea.
Hometown: Rockledge,Florida
College: Florida State University
Age: 23 (24 tomorrow-Happy early birthday!)
Occupation: Math Teacher at South Atlanta School of Law and Social Justice
1. Describe your job in three words: Crazy, diverse, rewarding
2. What was your first day of teaching like? Wow…all I remember is hearing the kids walking up to the classroom and starting to panic. I remember thinking…what the hell am I doing? What am I even going to say to these kids? Why did I think this was a good idea?
3. I know some of your students called you Barbie before. What role do you think your race has played in your teaching experience? I think it played a huge role. Not only have barely any of the students I teach had a white teacher before, many also had negative feelings about white people in general (sometimes rightfully so). I think it was interesting for them to have a white person care about them since they come from communities of entirely African Americans. Some of my students have told me they don’t even consider me white…because I don’t “act white”. This always makes me laugh because at the end of the day, my biggest prayer is that I give them a positive impression of the white race and that there is a life outside of South Atlanta with MANY people who accept and embrace diversity.
4. You’re 23. Not that much older than your students. On the same note, what role do you think your age has played in your teaching experience? Well I lie to them about my age because I really am SO CLOSE to their age. Many of my students are 16-17, which makes me only 6 years older than them, so it’s easier for them to just think I’m a little older. They’ll take any excuse to not respect you. Pretty much all of my students think I’m 29…and I think I look pretty darn good for 29 : )
5. This broke your heart: I have a 9th grade student who had her 2nd baby in the middle of the year. Meeting her mother and multiple siblings has really made me realize how much her environment has hindered her from being successful. I also had a moment when I tested all of my students and found that they average around a third grade level…in the 9th grade. I had to turn the lights off and just sit for a minute. When you start to grow attached to your students, it is really hard to swallow that a very capable 9th grader is operating at a third grade level.
6. This gave you hope: Over 50% of my students passed their EOCT at the end of the year. These students come to tutorial three days a week, all day Saturday, and they use every last minute of their class time. They are determined to move forward and it makes it much easier for me to guide them in that direction.
7. One thing you’ve learned from teaching? Patience! I learned I have none and certainly learned I need more. I also learned what hard work really looks like. There is not a job I will be given that I won’t be able to figure out.
8. What do you hope your students say about you? That I care about them as individuals, not as a student in my math class. I want them to see value in themselves and have confidence in who they can become. Math means nothing…test scores mean nothing…they do as people.
9. Who was your favorite teacher growing up and why? I had a teacher in 6th grade named Mrs. Keller. I remember her making everything into songs and games (songs I still sing). She was my first teacher who made learning fun and exciting. She also was the first teacher who talked a lot about how important it was to be a good person and make good decisions.
10. In ten years you will be… well, this is a hopefully. I trust I will be exactly where I am supposed to be. I will hopefully be a mom, a wife, and have a successful finance job. I want to work to play…life is so much better that way!
Hometown: Washington,DC
College: Boston University
Age: 23 (35 according to my students)
Occupation: Intellect Acquisition Facilitator (Because “teacher” doesn’t do the job justice)
1. Describe your job in three words: Find a way…
2. What was it like growing up with your first and last name being the same? I get this question a lot but I think it made life a lot simpler. I learned to write my full name much faster than the other kids, I always have a memorable first encounter with people as I clarify that it is actually my real name (sometime I need to pull out ID), and I can bubble in scantrons really fast when I take standardized tests. Although, there is the awkward moment when i introduce myself and people think I am saying “I’m Ed” and proceed to call me Ed.
3. Greatest accomplishment from college? Honestly…. graduating. I know it seems silly, but considering the harsh realities for Black men in America the fact that I was fortunate enough to make it through college with a degree is a life accomplishment I refuse to take lightly.
4. You got into Johns Hopkins. What made you choose Teach for America? I arrived on the campus of Boston University vastly under-prepared. My education did not equip me to be even remotely competitive with the students that sat around me. Quite frankly, this reality enraged me to no end. It was far from fair that I had to work twice as hard to make half the grade day in and day out. This was my first encounter with the “achievement-gap” and my spite for its existence refused to allow me to succumb to it. This started my exposure to working with schools in Boston and my realization of the joy working with kids brought me. When I left home for college, I was dead set on becoming a doctor and mainly out of pride, arrogance, and stubbornness I proceeded with my planned degree without taking the time to evaluate how my growth throughout my collegiate career would affect where I saw myself career wise. I found myself as a senior going through the motions of medical school when I had long ago determined that my heart wasn’t in it. After that moment, the decision to do Teach For America was a no brainer.
5. What is the hardest part of your job? The realization that my opportunity to fundamentally change the life trajectory of my students has an expiration date. I deal in the lives and futures of children on a daily basis and nothing is more frustrating than struggling to reach a child that you see going wayward only to realize that there is a time limit on your opportunity to correct their path. Regardless of everything I do in the classroom, at some point my students will leave my class and fall victim to the uncertainty of their future. The hardest part of being a teacher is the looming question of, “what if I haven’t done enough?”
6. What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is that moment when the most struggling of your struggling students finally understands how to solve that problem they wanted to quit on long ago. There is a moment when they just… get it. It is in that moment that your pride in them is only matched with the pride they have in themselves. That moment is where mindsets are shifted, mentalities are changed, and empowerment is born.
7. Who is your role model? Why? Vivien Thomas. Most people do not know who he is but he was an African-American surgical technician who developed the procedures used to treat blue baby syndrome in the 1940s. He basically had no education past high school, faced poverty and racism, and became a pioneer of cardiac and a teacher of operative techniques to many of the country’s most prominent surgeons. He worked with a White surgeon for years developing these techniques and never received any recognition for them. His story reminds me to not do things for the recognition or accolades but rather to stay true to real purpose.
8. How are we going to fix education? We are going to fix it right? Absolutely we will fix it. It will take quality teachers and a system that holds EVERYONE that has a stake in educating our youth accountable for the success of our students. I think we always choose a party to blame whether it’s the teachers, students, school system, or government, as opposed to holding us all accountable for the individual roles we play. Beyond that, as a people and a nation we need to prioritize education in this country. Such a prioritization is seen in the allocation of time, resources, and oversight to make sure the job gets done.
9. Three things everyone should know about being a teacher. 1) 9-5 is a dream. If you aren’t putting in at least 12-14 hours a day you aren’t doing it right. 2) Don’t call us after 11pm. 3) As much as you may try, it is impossible to leave work baggage at work. These kids and your experiences follow you into your dreams.
10. In ten years you will be… finding a new way to save our future generations…
Name: Victoria Beck
Hometown: Osyka,Mississippi
Age: 95
College: Tougaloo College
Granny is it okay if I ask you some questions for my blog? I don’t understand you. Let me turn my t.v. down (pause) Okay. Your what? My blog. You know my blog! Oh,Yes! Debra printed it and brought it over. The blog with you and Ian? Well Ian isn’t on it. Is Hannah on it? No, but a lot of my friends are-Yes, I read it. It’s very cute. I enjoyed it. Okay, well I’m going to ask you some questions. Like what?
Describe your life in three words: You know your phone is going in and out? Say what now? Say what? Describe your life in three words. Long lived and comfortable. I’ve lived a long life. It’s been very fun. I’ve done so much. Wait, that’s more than three words huh? Okay how about long-lived and comfortable. Perfect.
First thought when you wake up: Prayer. I pray every morning.
What’s it like being 95 granny? Huh? What’s it like being 95? Happy. I’m thankful I’ve lived this long and can still get around.
One thing you miss about being young: Huh? Granny! One thing you miss about being young. That’s not me, that’s your phone. Well, I didn’t learn to drive. I’m too old to learn now because everyone is not safe out there.
One thing you love about being old: I wake up and I’m satisfied. I’m still alive and young people love to be in your company. Lord I have so many friends, Robin. Nobody my age anymore just… young friends who come by and pick me up. I don’t really need to drive because everyone just comes over.
Fill in the blank. All mothers should be: proud of their children.
What was your mother like? Very stern. Ummm. She lived a long life also. And never worked. My daddy took care of all of us. She stayed at home. Daddy made seven dollars a week. And we made it on that. A dollar a day.
One thing you wanted all your kids to know? That I loved them. Who is this? Someone keeps clicking in. Probably your mom. She called me today and then hung up. This is probably her now.
Last week was teacher appreciation week. What do your students say about you? They all enjoyed my class and they still come around. That’s who I eat crabs with on Friday. Irlene, Kay, Mitchell, Teddy Rae, Peter, Paul, -they were all in school when they weren’t trying to dodge science. If they asked what time it was I’d say, “time will pass. Will you?”
Who was your favorite president? Kennedy. He was young, bold, learned, and concerned about all people. I liked him very much.
What do you think about Obama endorsing Gay marriage? I think that’s an issue that should be left to individuals. What he thinks shouldn’t change your opinion. I really think Biden came out with that first and Obama followed behind him. I think individuals should decide that. Don’t you think so? Now who is this clicking in? Who’s calling me?
Anything you want to tell young people today? Get an education. Learn a trade. Keep up with the world. And vote. Always vote.
Who is a really good person? How do you know? Everyone has some good about them. I hope you know that. What may be your bad can be their good. Good and bad are easily transferable.
But the people who fixed your house after Katrina? Ooh God! Samaritan’s purse. Billy Graham’s people. They came in and got me in my house. Fixed my walls. Put up cabinets. They came from Wisconsin, Indiana, Arkansas… They still send me corn meal-the ones from Wisconsin. They bring me bags of cornmeal and grits when they visit. I hear from all of them and they come back in the summer. The ones from Wisconsin take me to dinner. Two came back not long ago and they thought it looked so beautiful. I said, “I guess so because when you left I didn’t have my porch.” (chuckles) They were so glad. Oooh yes. They painted everything. Then there was the preacher and his wife. The group left and they stayed. We talk every Christmas. Mmmhhmmm. So they were obviously really good people. They were great.
People would be surprised to know you: I am very concerned and I don’t always go along with the crowd.
Oh, and what are you doing today? Going to Ocean Springs to eat. Your aunt is taking me. I have to be ready at 11:30 and I still have a lot to do. I got so many beautiful flowers. It looks like the florist.
That was a good interview! Where will you put this Robin? On the internet. Lord have mercy. Now, let me call your mother back. She never did come back.
Hometown: East Orange, New Jersey
College: Brown University
Age: 23
Occupation: Teacher /Photo Voice Workshop Facilitator
1. Describe your job in three words: Making Dreams Reality
2. You went to Brown. What was life like at an Ivy? I’m not sure if Brown is representative of your typical Ivy. Attending Brown was absolutely amazing. Not only was I constantly surrounded by some of the brightest of our generation, but Brown found a way to challenge and shape my sense of self. And do you think Ivy League’s breed elitism? Well yes and no. The structure of our society is echoed in nearly every facet of its own institutions. America in the end does have an elite class. Membership in that elite class can be gained in a number of ways, one of which definitively is education. So yeah many of America’s elite are drawn from our top institutions, there’s a reason we place such import on college rankings like those of Princeton Review and US News and World Report, and the IVY league schools fairly or unfairly fall within that select group of top institutions.
3. If I said Hi my name is Robin, I went to Devry. What would your initial reaction be? My initial reaction is probably hey Robin has a great smile, and then I would start to wonder what you studied at Devry. If I said Hi my name is Robin, I went to Harvard. What would your initial reaction be? Ugh HARVARD I hope Robin isn’t super uptight. I would also probably assume you’re ridiculously smart and probably were the valedictorian of your high school.
4. Okay last school related question. If you could design and teach your own class what would it be and why? If I could design any class it would be an anthropological review of current human society with a focus on how science has created such drastic disparities in living conditions. I’ve always been amazed by how easy it is when you focus on the day-to-day trials and tribulations of your own life, to forget about the plights of billions around the world. If there’s any one thing I would ever hope to teach people its that we are all connected and thus responsible for our fellow man.
5. Do you think a pictures can say 1,000 words?
I’d say pictures can say a million words. A picture like “Afghan Girl” defined a whole countries perspective on the conflict in Afghanistan in the 80s. I remember taking an Environmental Science Class in 9th grade and coming across a picture of a child struggling from Kwashiorkor. The caption was simply “Haitian child suffering from Kwashiorkor”. The picture came up in the population dynamics section of the textbook. I don’t remember almost anything I learned in that class but that image spoke volumes. The message of Haiti that that image has shared with so many people inspires and informs much of my work.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2002/04/afghan-girl/index-text
6. You’re leaving for Haiti next week. Tell me more. I am. I’ll be working with a couple of organizations running photo workshops for children. My first foray running workshops in Haiti occurred last year and since that it’s become a life passion. The image I referenced in the previous question did two things. With all the privilege that society has given me I hope that my work in some small way can alleviate the suffering of Haitian people. While the nations suffering is definitely a part of the story, I also hope to offer a contrasting view of the popular perception of Haitians and Haiti. When I’m in Haiti, I see a beautiful passionate people who play for keeps regardless of the crappy hand life has played them. Tell me even more: I’ll initially be working in Leogane with a wonderful organization called GOALS Haiti. At some point you should interview Kona Shen for this site. She’s a close friend, who after graduating Brown, moved to Leogane, Haiti (the epicenter of the massive earthquake) to start an organization focused on helping some of the towns most marginalized children. Check them out at goalshaiti.org and consider donating to the workshop fund athttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/110097?a=626632 . For the second half of my stay in Haiti I’ll be working with another organization calledhttp://www.projectistwa.org/ . There also an awesome organization running photo workshops for Haitian children. We’ll be traveling all over the country, partnering up with different organizations. I’m super excited about getting to share my passion for photography with these children, and more importantly giving them a medium and voice with which they can advocate for their own place in Humanity.
7. What makes you cynical? As an educator what has made me the most cynical is the amount of children who have had their innocence torn away by older children, adults, or life. While I get that people can’t remain innocent forever, I find it an absolute travesty how many children, both here and abroad, have to grow up before they are ready to.
8.You would never be friends with someone who… I won’t be friends with people who think only of themselves. I definitely have me-first friends, that is I have friends who will first ensure their safety and comfort before looking to help others, but if a person never considers how they might be able to help those around them I generally don’t bother getting to know them.
9. If you wrote a thank you letter today who would you write it to? I’d write a thank you letter to my grandmother. She raised me, in fact my first language was Creole even though I was born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey. She instilled in me all the best parts of who I am- humility, compassion, courage, love. It’s become a cliché now for people to say they don’t know where they’d be without some aspect of their life, but I truly cannot even conceive of myself as a person without her being an integral part of my upbringing.
10. In ten years you will be…In ten years I’ll be 33. According to my life plan I need to be married and my last child will be one years old. I’ll either be living full time in the developing world, or finding a way to spend at least half of my time there. I’ll have found my better half, and be growing and evolving with them each and everyday. Most importantly I’ll be happy with the choices I’ve made and the people I’ve influenced.
Want to know more about Jovan? http://jovanjulien.com/
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
College: NC STATE University
Age: 24
Occupation: Account Manager at Definition 6
1. Describe your job in three words: busy, chaotic, challenging.
2. Tell me. Do blondes really have more fun? (laughs) I have to say… I have never been a brunette so I’m just to not positive, but I sure do have a lot fun!
M.P. skydives
3. Tell me about your new website: http://parham-collection.styleowner.com/I have always wanted to own my own boutique, however, right now is just not the right time in my career to do so. I am still young and learning the ways. I started off working at SPANX and moved to Definition 6 after a year and half and I have really started to miss being so close to the fashion scene. With that being said, I decided that I needed to get my hands on it somehow so after a lot of research I found the perfect opportunity to open a style owner on-line store. The on-line store will give me the opportunity to help my friends, friends-of friends, and who knows hopefully others to find the clothes they need to feel comfortable and fashionable. The site also allows me to do my shopping year round and at night which is awesome for my busy schedule. I am also the Director of Marketing and Branding at Bartow Fence, a company that is just getting started out of Cartersville, GA. So, I am extremely busy wearing multiple hats…but i couldnt be happier! Okay so I know you don’t work for Spanx anymore, but I must tell you that a woman told me once that Spanx saved her life. Care to comment? (laughs)She is not the only one to say that. When I worked there I constantly had people telling me that I work for a life-saver. Honestly it is funny when you hear them say it, but then it just makes you want to work so much harder so that you can hear more people say “thank you for making me feel beautiful!”Making people feel good is what I enjoy; who wants to be around a bunch of grumpy women? Not me.”
4. Busy schedule? Walk me through a day in the life of M.P. MWF- Wake up around 6:45, coffee, coffee, coffee. I head into to work to kick the day off with a 8:30 daily Production meeting followed my a day full of client meetings, creative reviews, and live issues. I work on a lot of websites, including Goody.com and storagepost.com. After work I workout or go for a walk with a friend, cook dinner, eat on the porch and unwind with a glass of RED -only Red- wine. This is my favorite time of the day. After dinner is when I work on my “other activities” like Parham Collection and Bartow Fence. Tuesday and Thursdays- same thing,but the workout comes bright and early at 5:45 am so that I can meet with Bartow fence after work on Tuesdays and just relax and go out with friends on Thursdays!
5. When do you feel most beautiful? I feel most comfortable and myself in my gym clothes. I love the glow you get after a good sweat. I would have to say because of my body type, I’m a tight skirt flowy top kind of girl.
6. If you could shop forever at one store and one store only where would it be? No budget? Good question. No budget. Gena Chandler in Raleigh, NC. They have a fabulous selection for every occasion including shoes and accessories. Gena and Chandler, the owners, are more than friendly and more than happy to help. Now that is just for clothes… if it was a one stop shop Neimans because they carry Kiehls products and Creed Perfume, and I LOVE their shop in shop “CUSP”.
7. Do you think you’ve always grown up around style? Yes. My mom has given me clothes that I say “sick, I don’t want that” and then in just 5 months I don’t take it off. She is definitely a trendy lady in my world and inspires me to wear what I love …not what someone says I should love.
8. A young, twenty someone should never leave the house without…business cards. You never know who you will meet: a hot date, the president of the US, or your next boss.
9. Any fun vacation plans this summer?I’m headed to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. It is one of my favorite places for the 4th of July!
10. In ten years you will be…Gosh! If only I knew. I’m a huge planner, but that one just might have to be in God’s hands.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
College: The University of Georgia
Age: 25
Occupation: Corporate Strategy & International Development Assistant at a large talent agency in Los Angeles
1. Describe your job in three words: Professional problem solver
2. Describe it in more words. We have such a diverse range of clients-actors, directors, producers, athletes, musicians, film financiers, etc. They each pose a different and unique set of goals and aspirations. Our job is to put them in the right position to achieve their dreams. Most of the time that entails us doing some major problem solving to get them from A to B on their career path.
3. I’ve never asked this before- probably because it reminds me of every scary interview I’ve ever had. I do see value in it though so I’ll ask. Tell me about yourself. Please let the record show that I hate this question. Instead of answering here is one of my favorite quotes/life mottoes:
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayals of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson
4. You have a goal of visiting 30 countries before you turn 30. What sparked this desire and how close are you to reaching this goal? I’ve always had a travel bug. I think I got it from my mom who spent her childhood everywhere from Japan to Panama to Tennessee as an army brat. The 30 Before 30 goal was inspired by a close friend who was in the Peace Corps and recently completed a similar mission.
I have about five years left on my quest and I just crossed off my 20th country. Notable favorites: South Africa, Cuba, India and Greece.There is something magical about traveling. It inspires me to meet new people, stretch out of my comfort zone and seize every opportunity in life.
5. How do you choose where to go? Where will you go next and why? My goal is to go to as many exotic, far out, different and, adventurous places as possible. I love to travel off the beaten path. The museums and monuments in Europe will still be there years from now when I’m old and need a walker. I want to see the world outside of those places. That said, there isn’t really a rhyme or reason to where I’ve travelled. I really just pick places that fascinate me. I always wanted to go to Africa, so I studied abroad in Cape Town before the World Cup in 2010. I worked for a non-profit in Greece for a summer and I chose to go to India because I eventually want to work out of our offices there. Next up is Central or South America because I’ve haven’t scratched the surface there yet. Also I love movie, The Motorcycle Diaries, and I’ve wanted to do a trip there ever since I watched it!
6. I like that movie too. Who or what do you admire? Richard Branson is an inspiration. He started his first business at 16 and turned it into an empire. He is someone that never settles and is constantly pushing the status quo as an innovator. As a real estate junky I’m also slightly obsessed with Necker Island, his little slice of heaven in the British Virgin Islands.
One of the people I admire most has to be Nelson Mandela though. While in South Africa I was able to visit Robben Island, where Madiba was held captive for most of his time as a political prisoner. Looking at the tiny cell where he was held captive for decades is something that will stay with me forever. You can’t help but admire any man that can endure something like that and then fight for the forgiveness of his captors. The South African Ubuntu philosophy of togetherness is something I try to incorporate as much as possible in my daily life. If we can actually find ways to coexist and help each other in this crazy world then everyone ends up better off than we started.
7. You just posted a video on YouTube. It got millions of hits. What did you just post? A Travel Channel video. My absolute dream job would be hosting a TV show on the Travel Channel! I would love to have a show that was a mix somewhere between Anthony Bourdain and Samantha Brown.
8. The last few 20someones were UGA grads. I guess I like Dawgs more than I thought, but will never like them like you. Tell me about this UGA obsession. Can I call it that? “There’s a saying in Georgia: If you lead a good life and say your prayers, when you die you’ll go to Athens.” -Princeton Review
The University of Georgia is a special place for so many reasons. For starters, UGA was the birthplace of public higher education in the United States. Established in 1785 (before the US even had its Constitution) the founders of UGA led the way for higher education to be more accessible to a greater portion of the population.
Now, 230 years later, Athens still shines as the home to a phenomenal institution. There are too many accolades to name, but for me as a journalism student I could not have received a better education. My professors were senior executives, producers, and anchors at places like CNN and NBC Nightly News. We were taught to get our hands dirty in the field to find the best stories then bring them back to the studio for our live, daily newscast that reached over 1 million households. The Grady College of Journalism even gives out the Peabody Awards each year.
Outside of the classroom UGA students live by the work hard, play harder mentality. Football is king in Athens. It dominates the town for four glorious months in the fall. On game day the small town with a population of about 100,000 people triples to become the second largest city in the state of Georgia. UGA fans are going to get out early and tailgate hard no matter what type of season the team is having. That’s part of the reason the tailgate for the annual game against the University of Florida earned the (infamous) title as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”
Then there’s downtown Athens. With almost 100 bars in a few block radius there is quite literally something for everyone. My senior year the Princeton Review named UGA as the nation’s top party school and the downtown scene definitely played a major role in earning that “honor.” Athens is also known as a music town. It’s home to R.E.M., Widespread Panic and the B-52’s. John Mayer and Bubba Sparxxx also both got their first big breaks there. Imagine that…One little town gave the world “Love Shack”, “Your Body Is A Wonderland” and “Ms. New Booty”!
As you can clearly tell I love the University of Georgia and Athens probably more than anyone should. It will always have a special place in my heart. For future reference: don’t ask a former campus tour guide about his favorite place in the world or you will get a very long winded answer.
9. How do you look back on your year? I like to look back at big milestones more than doing a year in review type of thought process. I just hit my three year anniversary in Los Angeles and I spent a lot of time looking at how far I’ve come since moving here and what I want to accomplish over the next 3-5 years.
10. In ten years you will be…I have absolutely no clue what I’ll be doing in 10 years. If you asked me three years ago what I’d be doing today I would’ve been way off! The only real absolute I have as far as long term (10 year+) goals is to be in a position to empower storytellers. What gets me out of bed every day is knowing how many incredible people are out there who deserve to have a voice and an outlet for their story and their life. That’s the ultimate goal. I would also love to help create a big internationally focused business or nonprofit.