Category Archives: Monthly Feature

Monthly Feature: Under 40 & Changing The Game (4)

Who is . . .?

DioMara is a Singer/Songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. She was born to two parents native to Colon, Panama thus having been influenced very strongly by Latinx/West Indian culture. Empowering, virtuous, provocative and stirring the affections and senses of the individual are all descriptive of DioMara’s disposition, sound and image; the qualities of her emotion filled music. She believes in living outside the norm, embracing her flaws as beautiful, and letting her voice be heard despite adversity. DioMara is a fighter to say the least. A budding revolutionary.

What has contributed to your personal growth?
Adversity and failure. I have learned so much about myself over the past 5 years than I’m sure many people do in a lifetime. I have undergone extraordinary experiences that opened my eyes to many things. Not only that dealing with the trials and tribulations of this life as a person dealing with depression, I’ve been forced to sharpen my awareness and mature at a quicker rate in order to preserve myself. I believe my God has blessed me with everything I need to win in this life and so I am very self reliant. Exploring all of the corners of who I am and taking the time (selfishness I suppose) to hone my talents has allowed creativity to flow. The amount of time I give myself has also contributed to my personal growth.

In the next 5 years where do you see yourself going?

If I remain on this path of self preservation, honing all of my talents and loving as deeply as I want to be loved I see myself being incessantly happy. Having the world feel what I feel in my music/art is also my goal. The platform that music allows will also be a vessel for the messages that I would like to get across and it is my belief that through that I can make my mark on this world and contribute to it being a little better. Outside of that who knows what the universe will bring.

What are the 3 images that best describe your growth?

 

 

 

 

 

 

What message would you like to provide those people who have hit a road block with their personal growth?

 

Don’t be afraid to step away from everything and everyone you know to get you right. I value self preservation. Sometimes the happenings in this world can suck you of all life and happiness and so many feel like they have to stay around and deal with it at all times. Understand that you have choices in this life. Many more than you probably realize and the only person you are obligated to is yourself. Take time for you.
How would you like to be remembered?

 

For being 100% authentic and true to myself regardless of how it may be perceived. For invoking emotions through my art that many suppress or feel like no one else could understand.
What are your current ventures?

 

I am currently working on my EP, which will be released late Spring as well as with a collective called AV8TED to propel creativity and entrepreneurship amongst the youth. The youth being ourselves. Being that example of strong individual brands collaborating to achieve a common goal; success.
For anything additional visit my website DioMaraD.com !

Monthly Feature: Under 40 & Changing The Game (3)

Who is . . . .?
Lance Sanders but better known as LGburna or Simply Burna

What has contributed to your personal growth?To be honest ,my parents,  my fiance and my mentors. My parents raised me to be self sufficient, although they separated they both taught me valuable lessons to help me develop into a man. My fiance she was able to center my focus on my career and not other trivial things.  My mentors have shown patience throughout my process, weather it be frustrating nights or long phone calls.  I appreciate the kind and harsh words they have given me to make sure i see success! Special thanks to Maurice Harris, Tiwa Works, Phil Fuller, Donyel Stewart, Keithan Watkins and more.
 
In the next 5 years where do you see yourself going?
5 Years … I plan to be completely self sufficient in event planning. I want to have 5-7 staple events a year averaging at a minimum of 2,000 people per event.
What are the 3 images that best describe your growth?
 
A Full Court Press in basketball (I believe you always apply pressure) 


The beginning of The Movie Lucky Number Slevin (Kansas City Shuffle baby) 
Bane from Batman The Dark Knight Rises (Formulate a plan , beat the competition , talk junk while you’re doing it)

 
What message would you like to provide those people who have hit a road block with their personal growth?

Losses come with wins. Be able to bounce back from your short comings. Do not compare your journey with anybody else’s. Everyone’s path is different, don’t get discouraged and continue your path. I’ve lost $4,000 on one event and cried like a baby, I promised myself it would never happen again. IT HASN’T!

How would you like to be remembered?This was a tough one. I’m big on having a positive reputation in business. So that may be it, I want to be remembered for always being a straight shooter.  My business reputation has taken me far, so that’s how would love to be remembered.

What are your current ventures?

My Current Focus is my Alma Mater Elizabeth City State University. I would love to be their immediate outsource company for events. As far as events I am Focused on Weekend At Burnas July 27-30th in Durham , NC ! It’s growing into a major festival in NC.

Monthly Feature: Under 40 & Changing The Game (2)

 

Who is L. Wesley or Mr. Wes @thelsquire?
 A southern raised man looking to leave his lasting mark on the nation’s capital and be an inspiration to those who dream to be something greater than their surroundings.

What has contributed to your personal growth?
I would have to say the one major factor that has contributed to my personal growth would be my difficult childhood. I am a product of a single-parent home, however I never knew what it meant to be in need of anything. At one point my mother worked two jobs while finishing her degree at night. I learned how to set a goal for yourself and to achieve it, now matter what. My mother taught me that life will be difficult, times will be hard, nothing will come easy but at the end of the day; if you want it, go get it. The second factor to my growth would have to be my older sister who passed in 2005. She taught me to truly believe in my own gifts. She would often tell me to “believe in the star in yourself”. Keia supported me in every way humanly possible. She got me in trouble A LOT lol but she also pushed me to simply be great. She was the first person who supported my political and musically dreams. She gave the confidence that I could do both and and be damn good at them.


In the next 5 years where do you see yourself going?
This is such an interesting question for me right now. Had you asked me this in 2016, I would have said that I’m going to be working for the government and collecting this check and those “good government benefits” lol. But as we all know, sometimes God has a different plan for us. So in five years, it is very likely that I would be sitting in the House of Representatives or doing music full time with my own label. I’m on the path for both so only time will tell. But one thing I do know is that wherever I am in five years, I will enjoy it and be doing an amazing job at it.

What are the 3 images that best describe your growth?
 

Climbing – when life gets hard, hold on. The larger the blessing the harder the trail 
 

  

Believe in yourself- a large part of believing yourself, is learning to be comfortable with who you really are. And realizing, that there is a winner in you 

Dreams- no one ever achieved anything by giving up on themselves. So if you want success you have to work toward it

What message would you like to provide those people who have hit a road block with their personal growth?
It’s ok! Everyone hits a road block at some point. We all get to that mountain that is just a little larger than others. And because we have conquered the smaller ones, we often beat up on yourselves for not knocking this one day immediately. Road blocks are simply a larger victory we will soon have, so don’t worry, just take it one step at a time.

How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as someone who beat the odds. There aren’t many success stories of people who come from my background. There definitely aren’t many success stories on a national level. I would like for the younger generation to see me as an example of how great they can be if they simply believe.

What are your current ventures?
Now this question could go on and on lol. As most people know, I am currently signed to a record label. We are currently working on the 2nd album; scheduled to be released in June of this year. I am also a new appointee to the city council so I am working hard to my political align myself with the right people to make an honest run at this. I am also CEO of my own consulting firm (W2 Consulting). We specialize in event management and restaurant consulting. My “Waffles with Wesley” brunch series is starting to gain some steam, so I am enjoying being able to show off my culinary schools from time to time. And I have a few other project in the fire but we will save those for another time

Additional message from Mr. Wes – I just want to encourage people to not give up on themselves or their dreams. It took me almost 25 years to achieve one of my musical dreams but I made it. I was homeless and living out of my car at one point in time but I didn’t allow that stop me from achieving one of my educational dreams. So anything you want to do and are willing to put forth the effort towards, you can do it. Simply Believe.

Monthly Feature: Under 40 & Changing The Game (1)

 


Who is Linea Johnson @locsofpoetry_?
I am a platform that focuses on the Black experience through a Black woman’s lens.

What has contributed to your personal growth?
I would say age. I’m not the same person I was five minutes ago. I’ve evolved and I’m becoming the person I need to be.
In the next 5 years where do you see yourself going?
In terms of success? I see myself being self-employed and clearing six figures. In terms of a relationship? My ass better be married. Kids? I don’t know..
What are the 3 images that best describe your growth?

 

This image is the first image on my boutique’s website, it shows my persistence with opening up my first place and it was one of the first images I took when the idea first came to fruition.
This second image is the first trip I took by myself. I went to Minnesota for the first time and I was touring the campus of the University of Minnesota. It was there, that I spent time with my King. It was the beginning of our relationship.
This third image was taken during the first time I met Ketsy. She was such a beautiful soul and a lovely person to be around. She stayed with me for the entire duration of the shoot when she did not have to. Rest in power, my love.
What message would you like to provide those people who have hit a road block with their personal growth?
Being persistent is essential. You’ll hear one millions no’s before you get a yes. But if you give up prematurely, you’ll never accomplish anything. Life isn’t handed to you, you have to be aggressive and stay the course – no matter if you’ve been handed lemons.
How would you like to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as a great advice giver with a beautiful mind.
What are your current ventures?