Cece In The City

Tag: Where It Begins Magazine

  • Interview with Curtis Lovejoy

    Interview with Curtis LoveJoy

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Tell everyone who Curtis Lovejoy is?

    A. I am a diamond in the haystack. I’m better known around the world than in my own home (The USA). I am an athlete who is well known and celebrated around the world in swimming and fencing while being disabled. I’m actually the 1st African American athlete to compete in 2 unrelated sports.

    Q. I see you have won 500 gold medals. Tell us about those achievements?

    A. Actually today it’s roughly 700 medals. I began swimming as therapy after my accident. Today I am a fierce competitor with a disciplined athletic mind. Most people cannot believe what I have accomplished, and they are shocked how it happened.

    Q. Tell us about your book “A little love and joy”?

    A. I’m blessed to have my name “Lovejoy”. Many say that my smile is contagious, and I always bring love and joy into the room when I enter. My book discusses my youth and how I experienced trauma, however it included humor and I go into detail about the miracles within my life. My book is authentic and real. I do not hold back on any punches, and I tell the truth about my struggles as a paraplegic.

    Q. After losing the use of your legs, what inspired you to keep going? How has the experience been?

    A. I experience depression, but the pool is my sanctuary. I connect with GOD when I swim. It helps me to clear my mind and understand that GOD’S walk for my life is this. I am here as a MIRACLE to show mankind what can be done with faith in Jesus Christ.

    Follow me at @curtislovejoy

    To see full article https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Big Nick

    Interview with Big Nick

    By: Where It Begins

    Quote: “I feel like before any artist or label releases a project all the production for that project should be paid for. That should be mandatory”.

    Q. Tell us more about who Big Nick is?

    A. I am a producer, a developer, a life coach. I mold stars. I have been doing music for roughly 17 years now, I was a club promoter for 5 years, so I’ve been a part of the entertainment scene 360.

    Q. What made you want to be a music producer?

    A. I didn’t. I wanted to be an artist but my passion for music expanded talents and morphed me into what I am today. I learned how to make beats and record, and since I started off rapping, I am good at songwriting.

    Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

    A. A wife and kid, 8,000 sq ft house and at the top of the game with a plethora of plaques and number 1’s.

    Q. What is something that really challenges you being a producer?

    A. My little brother Jbo. He taught me how to use pro tools and that opened up the floodgates for me to produce a lot of good music.

    Follow me at @bignick912 

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Edward Manning

    Interview with Edward Manning

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Quote: “I never miss an opportunity to work on my health. Most of my fitness level is worked on in the gym. I also like to take hikes and use my environment to be active.”

    Q. Tell us more about who Ed is?

    A. That is an excellent question. Who I am continues to evolve as I experience life and learn new things. In short, I am a 41-year-old Black male who is an owner of a personal training company called Mpressionz Fitness LLC. I spent 15 years in the Air force as an Air Traffic Controller. When I decided to get out of the military, I decided my working life to improve the health of others through functional training and knowledge.

    Q. Tell us about your journey of being in fitness?

    A. I have always been active. My dad was a basketball coach and had a basketball in my hands since I was born. I played basketball, football, baseball, and ran track in my youth. The working on fitness for more than health started with my deployment to Iraq in 2008, that I had mentioned before.

    Q. What are some of the advantages and challenges of being fit?

    A. I believe the biggest challenge of being fit is consistency. Working out and eating right on the days that you don’t want to be necessary to reach optimum health.

    Q. What advice can you give to other people who want to be fit?

    A. The best advice I can give is to stop waiting and get active. If you’re not sure what to do, hire a knowledgeable trainer to show you how. The key though is to start moving toward a worthwhile health goal.

    Follow me @Edwardmanning and Website: www.getbodiedbyed.com

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Blaque Rose

    Interview with Blaque Rose

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Quote: “I remember singing a song that I heard on the radio and would change the lyrics to the song that I think that would have been better”.

     

    Q. Tell us more who Blaque Rose the pop artist from New York is?

    A. Blaque Rose is a music artist that loves art and music. He has been around the music industry for many years.

    Q. Tell us about your EP “Super Natural”?

    A. Super Natural EP is truly a masterpiece. It took 2 years to finish it because I wanted to make a classic album with cool 80s artistic vibes and that’s what I did. It is an amazing album. Make sure to listen to all social media platforms.

    Q. What advice can you give to other upcoming pop artists?

    A. Keep on creating, don’t ever stop learning this business. It is always moving so you have to be ahead of the game!

    Q. What is one of your best experiences or accomplishments you’ve had being a pop artist?

    A. Meeting so many cool artists and musicians and producers. If I had the chance to do it again I would do it again. My best experience was getting my first 100,000 streams on Spotify. That was one of the best experiences that I can think of.

    Follow me at @blaquerose

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Nefertiti Austin

    Interview with Nefertiti Austin

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. Tell us about Nefertiti?

    A. I am the proud mother of two children, whom I adopted from the foster care system. I’m also a writer, author and my memoir. Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and parenting, debuted on the 3rd hour of the Today show in September 2019. I have a master’s degree in African American Studies from UCLA and speak at training sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services prospective foster and adoptive families.

    Q. What is one of your greatest experiences in life?

    A. One of the greatest life experiences was becoming a mother through adoption. Motherhood was always something I wanted though I wasn’t ready until my mid-30’s.

    Q. What advice can you give to other people who want to be an author?

    A. The best advice I can give is to simply read, write, edit, and repeat. Become intimately familiar with the genre you want to write. If you love sci-fi, then read sci-fi books to get a feel for the pacing, language and topics. Find a skilled editor, not your friend or your work. Be prepared to write multiple drafts of your books. It’s a very long process but worth it, if you stick with it.

    Q. What other projects are you working on?

    A. I am currently developing two tv shows and working on a children’s book. I also need to dust off a couple of novels that I started many moons ago.

    Follow me at @Iamneferitiaustin and website is www.nefertitiaustin.com

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

     

     

  • Interview with Anna Black

    Interview with Anna Black

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Tell us about Anna Black?

    A. Well I am a mom; I have one daughter who is now 22. I am originally from Chicago, born and raised and I have been living in Texas for a little over twenty-two years. I am not a full-time author just yet; my day job is Hotel/Hospitality management. I am a GM at a Wyndham property currently.

    Q. Who or what influenced you to be an author?

    A. Oh wow, I always had a love of reading, and I can’t say that anyone actually had an influence on me becoming an author, but a divorce from my first husband prompted me to write my very first book. After I had completed my fourth novel, I shared it with some friends, and they all encouraged me to pursue publishing.

    Q. What is one of your greatest experiences?

    A. Walking into a Walmart and seeing my book on the shelf. It was so gratifying, and I think other than becoming a mom that is one of the greatest moments.

    Q. Who is your favorite author?

    A. Brenda Jackson

    Follow me at @annablack72

    To see full article go to  https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Mike Bend

    To see full article go to
    https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

    Interview with Mike Bend

    By: Where It Begins

    Quote: “I owe a lot of my career to Rickey Smiley that was the first live television sitcom that I was a part of, and I got a taste of what TV Cinema is really is”

    Q. Tell everyone who Mike Bend is?

    A. Mike Bend is a cancer, a fun-loving guy and believes in showing people the wonderful time.

    Q. What or who inspired you to do comedy?

    A. My grandmother inspired me to do comedy. She’s been funny all my life.

    Q. What is one of your biggest accomplishments?

    A. My biggest accomplishments were people paying me 15,000 to perform my show that I wrote in the back of my room on a piece of paper and saw it come to life and people pay me $15,000 for that.

    Q. I see you was a guest appearance on the Rickey Smiley TV show. How was that experience?

    A. I owe a lot of my career to Rickey Smiley. That was the first live television sitcom that I was a part of, and I got a taste of what TV Cinema is really is? 

    Follow me @MikeBend 

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Lynn Spirit

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

    Interview with Lynn Spirit

    By: Where It Begins

    Quote: “My style is VERY different! I love an edgy chic look! My stylist loves to dress me in edgy contemporary looks! I love difference liking pieces that you don’t see everywhere!”

    Q. Tell us who Lynn Spirit is?

    A. Lynn Spirit is a free-spirited individual who tries to keep my audience smiling and entertained!

    Q. Describe your style and how it is different from others?

    A. My style is VERY different! I love an edgy chick look! My stylist loves to dress me in edgy contemporary looks! I love difference liking pieces that you don’t see everywhere!

    Q. Tell us who or what inspired you to become who you are today?

    A. My past, family and my fans inspired me to be the person I am today! Every one of these individuals have some sort of input in who I am today!

    Follow me at @Lynnspirit 

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with K. Shantel

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

    Interview with K.Shantel

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Can you tell everyone who K. Shantel is?

    A. Shantel is a free, creative spirit. I am an entrepreneur with a successful nail business and a passion for advocacy for people with disabilities. I believe that we all deserve to see the representation we desire so I decided to become that representation.

    Q. Tell us about Shantelz Nails?

    A. Shantelz Nails is my first business that I am very proud of. I provide quality and professional nail services to both men and women. I always knew I was made to own something of my own and I am thankful for the opportunity to do so before the age of 30.

    Q. What are some of your greatest accomplishments in life?

    A. Aside from obtaining my MBA in 2018 my biggest accomplishment to date would have to be winning the title of Ms. Wheelchair Alabama America 2020. It was an experience I never imagined.

    Q. Tell us about K. Shantel’s journey in life?

    A. My journey is to continue the work that I have started to promote inclusion in the entertainment and beauty industries for other individuals with disabilities.

    Follow me @K.shantelofficial

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Cory Taylor

    Interview with Cory Taylor

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Tell us more about who Cory Taylor is?

    A. I’m an entertainment manager/content creator, producer, and TV personality. Founder and creator of R&B Spotlight. I’m also an ambassador for the American Stroke Association.

    Q. What was your experience managing SWV (Sisters with Voices)?

    A. I enjoyed managing SWV, it has its ups and downs as everything else in life. It was a learning experience. I currently manage the group “702”.

    Q. What is one of the hardest things you had to deal with in life?

    A. The mid stroke I had is one of the hardest things I had to deal with in life.

    Q. I know you had a stroke and how has the recovery been for you?

    A. I’m doing good. Still have some ways to go, to reach all my personal goals in the recovery process. I’m great though.

    Follow me at @corytaylorva and website www.CoryTaylorVa.com

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_