This past Monday April 11th, 2016 I had the opportunity to talk with Shawn Calloway on the "Open Our Eyes," radio show (WYCB 1340am). It was an honor to be on the show and I am truly grateful. Shawn is actually in my book "A Lesson Learned," Chapter 1: Live By Faith Not By Sight. Shawn's story is incredible, inspiring, and motivational all in one. A plethora of people told me they cried reading his story and believe me I'm shocked myself. During the interview we discussed the book, but also touched on topics such as therapy in the black community, rape and it's effects on women, disabilities, and a lot more. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed doing it. God is good!
God is good! I recently had the opportunity to sit down with HBHCUBUZZ.COM for my first interview about my book "A Lesson Learned." I was super nervous before the interview. With my journalism background I've become accustom to being the reporter, but this time I was on the other end of the spectrum. Before the interview I made sure I prayed because through Christ all things are possible, but then my friend Taney who got me the interview sent me a prayer via text and man did this work! Below is the prayer.
"Father In Heaven, we come to you right now to thank you for the moment you have blessed Jeevan with. Lord we know that only through your grace, mercy and divine power has the opportunity come. With bowed heads and humbled hearts we ask that you guide Jeevan's tongue, order his thoughts and slow his nerves. Father God fill Jeevan with the spirit of peace and truth. Fill him with confidence and humility, bind his nervousness, preside over his thoughts and let your victories be his victories Lord. Fill his soul with passion and authority, guide his voice and let your light shine through him. Lord let no ounce of purpose be unturned. Lord God we know that our experiences here on this earth have a greater meaning in heaven and can only ask that you continue to work through us with opportunities like this one to bring glory to your name. God allow us to speak truthfully and freely about the great work of our Lord in our lives and share testaments of our faith and be living evidence of your faithfulness In our lives."
If you're ever in a situation like this you can take the prayer above and make it your own. The reporter who interviewed me was Sonia Montalvo and once I got on the phone with her a little bit of my nervousness went away. I became so filled with joy when talking to her she said I was answering her questions before she could even ask me. When Sonia mentioned that she was an alumnus of Elizabeth City State University which is an HBCU and apart of the CIAA division I really became comfortable. I knew she would understand my stories and the reasoning for this book. I sometimes stutter when I talk, but during this interview I didn't. I joined Toastmasters a year ago, so I believe that helped along with me praying. I've only been promoting this book for a week and have already sold a good amount of books on pre-sale and had two interviews. I give all the credit to God because without him I am nothing. You can read the interview here.
After creating my first trailer I had to figure out the angle for part two. I only had one scene that I really wanted to use and that was the pregnancy test. There are two chapters in A Lesson Learned based on pregnancy, so that was a no-brainer. Initially I planned to use J. Cole's "Lost Ones" instrumental for the music, but I couldn't find it. I started browsing on Tidal and came across Outkast's classic cut "Spottieottiedopaliscious." Once I played the song I knew this was it. During my high school and college years this song was often played by the marching bands. Not to mention the "damn, damn, damn, damn" part was catchy.
After browsing through numerous videos I realized something was missing. "Passion For Fashion" is a chapter in A Lesson Learned based on the modeling troupes in colleges and it's pretty funny. I started looking for modeling troupe videos on YouTube and came across Models Inc HBCU Fashion Battle. This video was a blessing. Not only was it professional, but it provided the actual scenes that relate to the story. I reached out to Aaron Handy who is the director and he gave me his blessing. Again, nothing, but God because he didn't know me at all. Even after creating this trailer I still wasn't able to add all the scenes that relate to the 16 chapters in the book, but I hope everybody enjoyed them. If you didn't see the first trailer you can view it here and also read about the back story. Thanks for all of the support, I am truly grateful!