Feature #47: Charreah K. Jackson, Owner

Name: Charreah K. Jackson

Current Job Position Title: Owner

Company Name:  Studio Social

Contact Information: Charreah.com

Special skills: Certified Family Life Educator with the National Council on Family Relations, Relationships Coach, Award-Winning Journalist

Describe your job story:
I went to college with the goal of working in magazines. I started with my first internship at Upscale magazine after my freshman year. I continued to study the craft and gain experience on and off campus. I also discovered my interest in relationships and completed my honors thesis on Black college students and their thoughts on marriage.   I interned at Essence magazine the summer before my senior year and fell in love with the office and New York City.

Throughout the next school year I visited the office (including during my spring break) and stayed in touch with contacts, what I now call stalking with a smile.Two weeks before my graduation I was offered a position as an editorial assistant. I gladly took the job that started freelance and with a low wage. I worked my way from assistant to full-time Associate Editor of the brand’s website, where I managed relationships content. I was able to  merge my passions, as I learned and wrote about the love lives of Black women up close. I also recognized the need for more education on actually being in a relationship.

After leaving Essence, I became the social media editor at a fashion and beauty PR firm. It provided me invaluable insight into how a small business is run and increased my skills as a professional and selling myself. While working full-time, I created my business Studio Social, which provides relationships workshops, one-on-one coaching and curriculum. I used vacation days to attend training sessions and conferences, and turned every personaltrip as a chance to expand my company.

Between bridesmaid duties for my cousin’s wedding in South Carolina, I hosted a relationships workshop for students at my parent’s alma mater. My growing workshops led to coverage by Ebony and Essence magazines, and the Huffington Post. I also consulted as the Associated Editor at Heart & Soul magazine to continue to stay up-to-date in the journalism world and write about relationships. I recently returned to Essence to manage relationships content for the magazine, a dream to provide love insight for their 7.5 million readers, and still have my business on the side.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
Being a math teacher by day and radio DJ by night transformed in high school to being a magazine editor, preferably at the now defunct Honey.

Are doing your dream job? Yes, and then some!

What do you like MOST about what you do?
Through my business, I love interacting with people and sharing relationships insight that they might not be getting anywhere else. As a writer, I enjoy the amazing opportunity to get paid to talk with people and hear their stories.

What do you like the LEAST?
My toughest challenge was getting comfortable setting my rates and sticking to them. When you love what you do, its tempting to give it away. Setting goals for the life I want to provide my future children and legacy I want to  leave has made it much easier to get paid my worth. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Continuing toprovide relationship resources including a book and empowering women that the only limitations are the ones we set for ourselves.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
Yes. We have to appreciate the blessings of the present, while preping for the future.

What more do you want to do with your life?
I want to continue to provide resources for women and men on healthy relationships and see more of the world.

What drives/motivates you?
I am certainly motivated by my grandmothers and all those who laid the groudwork for me to enjoy the privileges and opportunities I have today. I am also driven by my baby sister and others to come behind me, who are counting on me to pave new ground.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Keep on pushing and embrace your power. You may not have control of your circumstance, but you have complete power over your attitude. See every setback as a set up for your next move. I am a cancer survivor and was laid off in the worst of the recession. Even through unexpected moments, I knew that there was a bigger plan in place, and every thing would work out for my good. And it has.

Feature #46: Sophia, Regional Coordinator

Name: Sophia

Current Job Position Title: Regional Coordinator
Company Name: Self Advocacy Association of NYS
Contact Information: western@sanys.org
Special skills: grassroots organizing, event planning, advocacy, advising support/advocacy groups
Describe your job story:
In my last year of college, I was helping to organize discussion panels for a diversity conference at SUNY Brockport. One of the women I had worked with years before who I kept in touch with, showed me a project she was interviewing for- Self Advocacy AmeriCorps, where people with developmental disabilities learn to speak up for themselves and teach others to do the same. I invited them to speak at the conference and they recruited me. I became and AmeriCorps member in the project, supporting people to tell their stories. I fell so in love. When my two terms were done, a position opened up as a Regional Organizer in Buffalo, NY. I interviewed, got the job, and moved to Buffalo. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done and something I will never regret.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
As a child, a doctor and a dancer. As a teenager, an artist and an activist.
Are doing your dream job?
I love it absolutely, and parts of it are close to my dream job, but I would like to use more performing arts with storytelling to educate and work with communities on consciousness-raising projects around the country and the world. I would also like to work less hours so I can have more time for other things.
What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I love talking with amazing people who deal with incredible challenges, prejudice, and ignorance everyday and overcome it with style, grace, and sometimes just pure gumption, people who stick to their truth despite sometimes overwhelming odds. The long hours are what I like the least.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I just had a daughter and my focus now is on providing a good home for her. For me, that means living in community with others, living sustainably, and owning my own home.
Are you happy with where you are in life? Yes, most of the time.
What more do you want to do with your life?
I feel like I use my life to the fullest! I am involved in so many meaningful and powerful things, I can't imagine what more I would do with my life. More time to get involved in more projects and still have time for relationships and solitude!
What drives/motivates you?
People. Changing the world. Sacred states of consciousness.

What else do you do?
Dance- ecstatic dance, contact improvisation, and performance, write poetry, fold origami purses, wallets, and birds, women's empowerment talking and drumming circles, and political activism.
What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Work to build a free economy. Put your all into whatever you are doing, even if it doesn't pay or doesn't pay much. Love your friends. Get involved in your world. Remember your worth- people are more than just what they produce!

Feature #45: Courtney Aiken, Chief Executive Officer

Name: Courtney N. Aiken

Current Job Position Title: Chief Executive Officer (ShowKase Entertainment), Partner/Talent Director (Finding Eve Soul Cafe)

Company Name: ShowKase Entertainment

Contact Information: caiken@showkaseentertainment.com

Special skills: Music Management and Artist Development

Describe your job story:
Founded in 2010, ShowKase Entertainment is a Music Management and Artist Development company that offers the following services: Marketing and Promotions, Public Relations, Image Consulting, Artist Branding, Booking, Event Planning and Coordination, and Music Production, just to name a few. We work with artists in all genres of music and currently have five artists under our brand, as well as a satellite company, NuLiphe Entertainment, in Laurens, South Carolina.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? Lawyer or Accountant

Are doing your dream job? Yes!

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? MOST: That I have the opportunity to help the visions of artists be birthed and fully manifest. LEAST: Sometimes, I have to go into 'Mommy mode' when Managing my artists because they don't fully operate businesswise due to being so creative and artistic. It can also be hard forcing people to do things, especially if they don't feel like doing it.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Owning a successful record label and becoming a successful business mogul in music and other industries. I would also like to graduate from law school and become an Entertainment & Real Estate Attorney, and get married.

Are you happy with where you are in life? I'm extremely happy with where I am. I am fully operating in Ministry as I was just consecrated as a Minister over the summer, my company is doing very well as we are in 7 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Nigeria) and one of my artists just signed a record deal, and I have grown a lot as a woman.

What more do you want to do with your life? Fulfill the destiny and God's promises over my life and help birth other people's visions

What drives/motivates you? My Parents and Grandmother

What else do you do? Singer/Songwriter

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
To truly seek God about the vision and purpose He has predestined for your life. It's my belief that everyone can have the spirit of entrepreneurship and build their own empire. Share those things that are inside of you with the world because somebody is waiting on you!

Feature #44: Derek Barber King II, Executive Chef

Name: Derek Barber King II

Current Job Position Title: Executive Chef

Company Name: Tropical Deli

Contact Information: 404-201-8649; mrking9000@yahoo.com

Special skills: Being a child of God, cooking, problem solving, listening, video games, being a father, husband, and friend.

Describe your job story: Graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and floated around different kitchens and then one day I got a phone cal from Tropical Deli

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? The President of the United States

Are doing your dream job? One of them

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I'm in charge and I set my own hours. What I like least is slow days

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? A bigger building

Are you happy with where you are in life? Of course

What more do you want to do with your life? More children

What drives/motivates you? God, my wife, me, and my babies

What else do you do? Read the Bible, pray, be a husband, father, and play video games

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
With God, there is always hope. Start your own business.

Feature #42: Tia Mosley, Media & Integrations Coordinator

Name: Tia Mosley

Current Job Position Title: Media & Integrations Coordinator

Company Name: Carat

Describe your job story:
 I have been in marketing and advertising for over 7 years. The last client (who will remain anonymous) was a psycho bitch. I took 30 days away from work, went to Sri Lanka and had an "eat/pray/love" moment. When I returned state side, working was the last thing I wanted to do...and it was. Out of a 40 hour "work week" I probably worked...ummm around 3 hours. I was tired, irritated and burned out. So, the client fired my company, I got laid off and decided that I was not going to look for a job at all. No, I didn't have any money saved...I spent it all on food, plane tickets, lip glosses and journals. I packed a few bags, tossed them into Betty, my cavalier, and prepared myself for my 12 hour ride home to Houston, TX. As I sped down I-10, I got a phone call...for a job that I didn't even apply for...

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
 I wanted to work in a bar in Australia and serve beer.

Are doing your dream job?
Sort of. I am working in production. I get to coordinate shoots, work with amazing producers and directors...and I get a steady pay check. Hey!

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I like most that I work with some really interesting people. I DO not understand why I have to go to work every single day - M-F. THis schedule has always bothered me...since elementary school. I couldn't understand for the life of me why I had to attend school everyday and why my parents were always at work.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
On a beach, in South Africa, in some foreign thrift store, writing about my life on the back of a napkin.

Are you happy with where you are in life? I am.

What more do you want to do with your life?
 I want to travel more, meet more people and LIVE::LAUGH::LUST::LOVE, in that order.

What drives/motivates you?
Words. Spoken, written, and thought.

What else do you do?
I stage manage, write...and plant vegetables and watermelons.


What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Make friends. Every single job I've had, has been because someone knew me, remembered when I brought them cookies for breakfast, or picked their mom up from the train station, or smiled long and hard on a hellish day. Be nice to people and somehow, your needs will be met! :)

Feature #41: Melanie D. Dunbar, Support Coordinator...

Name: Melanie D. Dunbar

Current Job Position Title: Lead Family Support Coordinator, Personal Stylist

Contact Information: melanie@untamedonline.com; adornbyuntamed.etsy.com

Special skills: helping people develop their personal style, telling it like it really is with respect

Describe your job story: Well, I'd rather tell you how I'm planning to get to where I want to be...I'm a personal stylist, aspiring to get into modeling and life coaching. I am currently writing and planning for a talk-show that will address societal issues in their truest/rawest form. I have done some modeling in the past, but I'm currently making submissions to various retailers and natural hair product lines in an effort to become the face of their company. Sounds like a lot? This isn't even the half of it. The secret is dream big, work smart and remain persistent. Procrastination is of the devil LOL!

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
A supermodel

Are doing your dream job?
Somewhat...but I'm working on it and I WILL!

What do you like MOST about what you do?
I enjoy being able to inspire through experience and real talk (not what Young Jeezy was talking about)

What do you like the LEAST?
Politics and censorship as it relates to having to operate inside of politically correct rules and practices

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I'll be a media mogul and world renowned author/life-coach.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
I truly am.

What more do you want to do with your life?
Inspire and educate others on a broader scale.

What drives/motivates you?
Rising from poverty through my own merits.

What else do you do?
I design custom jewelry and I create custom paper products: invitations, programmes, flyers, business cards, etc...

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Like I said before be persistent, remained focused, research and develop your craft. Exude confidence and decide to NEVER lose hope!

Feature #40: Daniel Burdette Moll, Singer...

Name: Daniel Burdette Moll

Current Job Position Title: Singer, Composer, Musician

Company Name: The Nervous Wreck

Contact Information: danielburdettemoll@gmail.com

Special skills:
booking, marketing, writing, recording, graphic design, promotions, accounting, business planning, and the ability to spend 8 months in a van without losing my mind.

Describe your job story:
I've always played music, from the time I was a child, until now. Now I just do it with a purpose and some goals in mind. I felt called to do this, I've never really felt called to do anything else. It takes alot to do what I do, because these days you're doing most of it yourself and with the help of some good friends. The days of rock stars and multi-million record deals have been over for a long time, and thankfully have been replaced with hard work, careful planning, and attention to detail.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
Honestly, I wanted to be one of the talking steam train engines on shining time station, when I found out that wasn't really an option, this seemed like the next best thing.

Are doing your dream job?
You better believe it.

What do you like MOST about what you do?
Staying up late and writing and recording probably. There's nothing quite like the sun coming up as your eyes get heavy, pressing play on the multi-tracker, and finally hearing what you've been working all night to track out. It's very satisfying, and for me, it's the most fun I get to have. That and playing packed out shows every now and again, those are really fun because you get to interact with lots of people and hopefully make them smile a little.

What do you like the LEAST?
Industry people, and stalkers.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
On the highway in one country or another.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
I'm pretty stoked for it. I dated a neurosurgeon one time that couldn't understand my love for what I do and tried to make me choose. She would have wanted me to be in college or working for some big corporate firm or something, but does anybody really honestly wanna do that stuff? Not me.

What more do you want to do with your life?
Continue to help people, particularly teenagers and twenty somethings, continue writing, continue releasing records, and having fun. That's what we were made to do, was fall in love with the world we live in, and I'd like to continue down that path.

What drives/motivates you?
Love.

What else do you do?
I drive my autistic brother back and forth to work whenever I'm in town, that's a lot of fun because he's a riot. Other than that, I help out with a local youth ministry, run open mics around town, do studio work, stuff like that.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Make a job for yourself. Do what you love until you figure out how to make enough money to live off it, you get one life, don't look back and have regrets. Forget the big bucks, if they come your way that's great, but if they don't and you have to live like the rest of us, there's no shame in that. Just love what you do.