2017
http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/black-men-xcel-rae-holliday-inspires/
In recognition of our very first Black Men XCEL Summit, celebrating the best of black male achievement, the Black Enterprise staff is sharing their stories of the men who’ve had an extraordinary impact on their own lives…
Freelance Researcher Tiamari Whitted (Photo by Seimond London)
Who is the man in your life who’s inspired you to excel?
How would you describe the impact he’s had on you?
The impact he had on me was to encourage me to follow my dreams and to never give up no matter how long it takes you—age does not matter.
What’s your fondest memory of him?
Going to his first workshop, it was not your regular workshop. We were all supposed to meet at one location but something happened and we ended up going to an Irish pub not far from where we were supposed to meet originally. Rae went on to share his journey with us on how he got started, and I was just amazed at how he accomplished so much in such a short period and that he had hiccups as well but that didn’t stop him. The two stories that stuck out to me were 1. when he met Beyoncé and she knew who he was and 2. the story of how someone very close to him passed but she passed with her dreams not being heard. When he said that, it really touched me. I don’t want to leave this world not living my dreams and without taking a risk to accomplish them.
After the workshop, I was able to sit down with him and tell him my story and he looked at me and said, ‘I want to do a one-on-one consultation.’ Inside I was so thrilled and excited, but I kept calm. We finally met up about a month after the workshop and the consultation was an eye opener. He answered every single question I had. Rae Holliday is the most humble man I met in the entertainment industry; it blew me away how nice he was.
Rae Holliday (Photo by James Anthony)
What’s the biggest lesson he taught you?
To not be afraid. And that it’s OK to start over. You don’t have to know everything to get started, just do it and if you fail, get back up and try again.
What are you doing to make him proud?
I went back to school to obtain my M.B.A. in media management. And I landed my first media job in publishing. I’m a freelancer, but it’s a start, and I’m not stopping until all my dreams are fulfilled.
Register now for the Black Men XCEL Summit and join us for a celebration of black men!
In recognition of our very first Black Men XCEL Summit, celebrating the best of black male achievement, the Black Enterprise staff is sharing their stories of the men who’ve had an extraordinary impact on their own lives…
Freelance Researcher Tiamari Whitted (Photo by Seimond London)
Who is the man in your life who’s inspired you to excel?
How would you describe the impact he’s had on you?
The impact he had on me was to encourage me to follow my dreams and to never give up no matter how long it takes you—age does not matter.
What’s your fondest memory of him?
Going to his first workshop, it was not your regular workshop. We were all supposed to meet at one location but something happened and we ended up going to an Irish pub not far from where we were supposed to meet originally. Rae went on to share his journey with us on how he got started, and I was just amazed at how he accomplished so much in such a short period and that he had hiccups as well but that didn’t stop him. The two stories that stuck out to me were 1. when he met Beyoncé and she knew who he was and 2. the story of how someone very close to him passed but she passed with her dreams not being heard. When he said that, it really touched me. I don’t want to leave this world not living my dreams and without taking a risk to accomplish them.
After the workshop, I was able to sit down with him and tell him my story and he looked at me and said, ‘I want to do a one-on-one consultation.’ Inside I was so thrilled and excited, but I kept calm. We finally met up about a month after the workshop and the consultation was an eye opener. He answered every single question I had. Rae Holliday is the most humble man I met in the entertainment industry; it blew me away how nice he was.
Rae Holliday (Photo by James Anthony)
What’s the biggest lesson he taught you?
To not be afraid. And that it’s OK to start over. You don’t have to know everything to get started, just do it and if you fail, get back up and try again.
What are you doing to make him proud?
I went back to school to obtain my M.B.A. in media management. And I landed my first media job in publishing. I’m a freelancer, but it’s a start, and I’m not stopping until all my dreams are fulfilled.
Register now for the Black Men XCEL Summit and join us for a celebration of black men!
Did you miss any of our second week of BE Modern Men for 2017?
This year’s 100 Men of Distinction continue to inspire with their stories, this time sharing the best advice they’ve ever received. Our second set of 10 honorees kicks off with political pollster Cornell Belcher and also includes men who are spreading the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, spreading the Gospel through hip-hop, spreading the joy of reading to children, and spreading a message of hope to the streets.
Cornell Belcher
Meet ‘The Democracy Disruptor’ Cornell Belcher
Pollster
Best advice: “If you don’t know the answer, simply say you don’t know the answer.”
Read his full profile here.
Bad Ass Vegan John Lewis (Photo by Nicole Kent)
Meet ‘The Bad Ass Vegan’ John Lewis
Health Consultant / CEO and founder of Bad Ass Vegan
Best advice: “‘Impossible is just a big word used by small men.’ Meaning nothing is impossible and if you are willing to work for it and grind for it, then it shall be.”
Read his full profile here.
Tony Simmons aka DJ Tony Tone (Photo by Nialah Baker)
Meet ‘The Christian Hip-Hop DJ’ Tony Simmons
DJ / Radio Personality
Best advice: “There is so much advice that I get because I listen and watch. But one thing that comes to mind is when people show you who they are, believe them.”
Read his full profile here.
Vaughn L. McKoy (Photo by Christian Del Rosario)
Meet ‘Mr. Empowerment’ Vaughn L. McKoy
Attorney / Speaker
Best advice: “Loyalty above all else but honesty.”
Read his full profile here.
Othell J. Miller (Photo by Jaded Baracaldo)
Meet ‘Mr. Theater’ Othell J. Miller
Teacher / Actor
Best advice: “Don’t keep your product or service in the lab forever trying to make it perfect. Put it out and let the market offer feedback on how to refine it.”
Read his full profile here.
Kenneth Braswell (Photo by Joseph El-Wise Noisette)
Meet ‘Mr. Real Dads Read’ Kenneth Braswell
Executive Director, Fathers Inc.
Best advice: “The best advice I received was from Coretta Scott King while honoring her at the first annual Black and Latino Achievers Banquet in Albany, New York. While signing one of Dr. King’s children’s books for a friend, she noticed an error in one of the dates for the Selma March. She paused and began to tell me how important it was to protect your name; that it was my responsibility to protect who I am by being a man of integrity, truth, and transparency. That means it is also important to make sure people spell and say your name correctly. She stressed to me that anything out of the context of truth is an inaccurate representation of who I am.”
Read his full profile here.
Kalan Laws (Photo by Janae Anderson)
Meet ‘Mr. Dope’ Kalan Laws
Professor / Fashion Stylist and Blogger
Best advice: “Let love guide you! My initial understanding of that statement was from a romantic context; however, as I have grown, so has the life of that piece of wisdom. I know now that being guided by love is not meant to be a statement of folly or whimsical emotional decision making, but a statement that requires one to love themselves in a way that reflects honor, intention, and forthrightness, and love others the same.”
Read his full profile here.
Dr. Cleamon Moorer Jr.
Meet ‘Mr. Higher Learning’ Dr. Cleamon Moorer Jr.
Dean, College of Business, Baker College
Best advice: “The best advice that I ever received came from my father: ‘Son, don’t stop on the hill, go all the way to the mountaintop.'”
Read his full profile here.
Jahi Rawlings (Photo by Stan Johnson)
Meet ‘Mr. Sports & Entertainment’ Jahi Rawlings
Founder and CEO, Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League
Best advice: “Never give up. The tough times prepare you for success.”
Read his full profile here.
Frank E. Brady (Photo by Jay Kemp)
Meet ‘The Hope Dealer’ Frank E. Brady
Spoken Word Artist / Dream Director, The Future Project
Best advice: “‘Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men, keep allowing the Lord to order your steps.’ —Raymond T. Cash”
Read his full profile here.
It’s our normal to be extraordinary. Follow @BEModernMan and join the conversation using #BEModernMan.
Come celebrate the BE Modern Man 100 Men of Distinction at the first-ever Black Men XCEL Summit, Aug. 30 – Sept. 3, at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.