I have been blessed to enjoy 30+ years doing what I love…and I LOVE ENTERTAINMENT!!!
After graduating from Howard University, I began my career at MTV, where I landed my dream job in Talent Relations. I left MTV after 3 years, with my boss, to join his promotions team at Elton John’s UNI Records (Eric B & Rakim, Fine Young Cannibals). Shortly thereafter I met my mentor Jheryl Busby and joined MCA records (New Edition, Bobby Brown, Gladys Knight & The Pips…) When Jheryl took over Motown Records, I went with him and enjoyed 8 years working with Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Boyz II Men, Johnny Gill and more. When Michael Bivins was given his Motown imprint, Biv 10 Records, I was named General Manager.
My next move, literally, was to NJ as President/GM of Queen Latifah & Shakim Compere’s Flavor Unit Entertainment. Throughout my 13 year tenure, FU evolved from a management company to 3 record labels, and ultimately a television/film production company. We partnered with Vibe Magazine and CBS to create the Vibe Awards, and I served as Supervising Producer for its 3 year run.
While at FU, I started my own company, Unlimited Contacts, Inc., and produced my first feature film, Blackout, written/directed by Jerry Lamothe, who I also signed to management. Over the years, I have successfully leveraged my experiences and contacts to segue into TV/Film production, event planning, artist management, promotions and marketing consulting and I also pen a lifestyle/entertainment column titled #HotOffThePress in the New York Beacon newspaper.
Watching NEW EDITION’s journey unfold was inspiring. They were a group of neighborhood kids who followed their dreams, endured major setbacks and always came back stronger and wiser while reinventing themselves along the way. Sustained longevity in this business is no easy feat. You must learn to turn your past experiences into fuel to keep going. It’s like the lyrics to my favorite NE song, ”Sunny days, everybody loves them, but tell me baby…Can You Stand The Rain?,” and the answer is…YES I CAN!!