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- J. Dakar
- Twitter: @jdakar
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Info
- SummaryAccomplished writer/editor with experience contributing features, profiles, interviews, reviews and creative presentation material to top web properties, helping generate award-winning results.Experience
- Nov 2011 - PresentCo-creator and Editor / The Sunday Share
- Jan 2008 - PresentContributor / Concrete Loop Media LLCResponsibilities: Develops engaging, entertaining and informative SEO-rich content for one of TIME’s Top 50 sites by monitoring web for relevant news items and working with digital publicists. Oversees content for stylistic appeal and technical accuracy on over 100 posts per month, which generate 6M+ pageviews monthly, performing structural edits as necessary. Initiated and maintains presence on Twitter and Facebook, which has garnered 40K+ fans/followers. Manages successful contests and exclusive giveaways utilizing social media. Writing Credits: Contributes daily content spanning the subjects of news, awareness, politics, style, entertainment and celebrities. Frequently composes more in-depth entertainment-related content, specifically interviews, album and book reviews, as well as feature pieces. Composed monthly social commentary column, as well as health-related PSAs for “Young, Black Males & Suicide” and “Mental Health & the Black Community”. Researches and compiles regular Black History Spotlight feature. Contributed political commentary during 2008 presidential election, including “Concrete Loop’s Quick & Easy Voting Guide”.
Education-
2011 - 2013Columbia Southern UniversityM.S. in Organizational Leadership
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2002 - 2008Birmingham-Southern CollegeB.S. in Business Administration / Political Science / Distinction in Leadership Studies
Activities: Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor, Black Student Union President & Treasurer, Contributing Writer for Hilltop News, President's Student Service Organization
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Posts
- Kem — Album II
In these modern times of R&B, Kem is a rarity — singer, songwriter, musician and producer; he employs no samples and yet manages to deliver a consistent, mature fusion of soulful R&B and jazz on his sophomore album, simply titled Album II.
Kem’s self-released debut, Kemistry, sold 10,000 copies in 2002 and was eventually picked up by Motown for nationwide release the following year. It was on this album that we were first introduced to the smooth, sultry sound of the top-20 hit “Love Calls”, and it looks as if things can only get better for Kem. His latest effort debuted at No. 5 on the Pop Albums chart and No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart. Currently burning up the airwaves is “I Can’t Stop Loving You”, which has already reached No. 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B.
The Detroit-based artist tells of poignant love songs, but his personal story is one of victory and triumph. Once homeless, Kem supported himself and his family by waiting tables and performing top 40 covers for weddings. He later managed to scrape together money to finance and release his first album. Just as his story inspires listeners, his soulful music does the same.
Album II opens with “Find Your Way (Back in My Life)”, questioning the nature of love and the rest of the album follows suit. Kem’s take on love is multifaceted, deeply tying his connection with God, addressed on the sweet sounding “Heaven”. The song, “Each Other”, a track featuring only a calm three-note guitar riff and gentle vibes, sets the tone as being more of a personal conversation expressing Kem’s love not only for a significant other, but also for others as well, in addition to stressing the importance of having God in our lives. “Without You”, a calm, mellow mood song is ideal for a romantic evening with that special someone, which happens to follow the first single released from Album II, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”. Featuring gentle bass and soft drumbeats, the single serves as a theme song for those of us who have loved, been loved or are in love.
There are a select few of people who “find their way,” and Kem manages to do just that with this album, a throwback to a time when rhythm and blues was actually comprised of rhythm and blues. Instead of conforming to the times with overproduced samples, Kem utilizes organic, laid-back arrangements to sustain the album’s duration and takes lovers and true R&B fans alike, to a place we all want to go: “Heaven”. - J. Dakar On: Good Business
Published February 29, 2008 for Concrete Loop
Some time ago, economist Milton Friedman wrote an article which offered his ideas on the purpose of business. The title itself blatantly stated his view: “the social responsibility of business is to increase its profits“.
Friedman stated businessmen believe they defend free enterprise when they state business isn’t just out to make a profit, but to also “[promote] desirable ‘social’ ends.” He opposed the idea that business possesses social responsibilities: “Only people can have responsibilities,” he declared.
According to Friedman, “there is one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engage in open and free competition without deception or fraud.”
To some degree, I agree with Friedman; every business hopes to make a profit, but I do not believe that is the only intent. Businesses can do good and do well (DGADW) at the same time.
I first became familiar with DGADW while reading an article which mentioned it was the credo of the late, famed attorney Johnnie Cochran. Back then, I wanted to become a lawyer and Cochran, “the people’s lawyer,” was the epitome of what I wanted to become.
He said, “People think lawyers only do things for money…It’s not about being paid. It’s about doing the right thing. It’s not about money, it’s about using the law as a device for change.”
A few years later, I was introduced to Stella Ogiale, founder of Chesterfield Health Services, who was named one of America’s most fascinating entrepreneurs by Inc. magazine in 2004. In the article, she called what she does Socio-capitalism. “We can be humane and still make money,” she said. That phrase reiterated Cochran’s notion of DGADW.
I’m inspired by companies like hers and others like Rawganique which offers sweatshop-free products made from sustainable sources with many of them organic; Tunes for Trees which plants a tree for every 10 tracks bought on iTunes; Do The Math 247 which spreads the meaningful message of acceptance, brotherhood and compassion using the universal language of math; Tied to Greatness, a national outreach program targeting inner city high school young men, and its founder, Alex Ellis, owner of Simply Ellis, a custom clothing company that specializes in custom suits, shirts and men’s accessories and Huntsman, a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals, whose founder, Jon Huntsman Sr., oversees charitable foundations whose goal it is to make life better for families around the world by combating cancer, as well as other philanthropic efforts.
YOU can even help DGADW at no cost to you. The BMW Ultimate Drive gives you the chance to hop behind the wheel of a BMW and for every mile you drive, BMW will donate $1 on your behalf to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. - Rachael Yamagata — Happenstance
So many times you hear a song on the radio and immediately fall in love with it so you go out and buy the album and discover that there’s only one song on the entire album you actually like. Such is not the case with Rachael Yamagata’s 2004 full-length debut.
My ears stumbled upon hearing “Under My Skin” and within a matter of seconds, I was hooked. Rachael’s smooth, sultry voice, reminiscent of Norah Jones, mixed with meaningful lyrics caught my attention immediately and I had to have Happenstance.
One of the few albums I find to be worthy of listening to in its near-entirety, Happenstance opens with the infectious “Be Be Your Love”, followed by “Letter Read” in which Rachael states that she’s “put so much into a life [she] made too much about you now to lie.” “I’ll Find a Way”, the next notable track, is a great relaxing song to play Sunday morning thinking about that special someone. It should be followed by “Even So”, a soothing, melodic ode to a wronged love. The string solo, “Moments with Oliver”, by Oliver Kraus, is a perfect introduction to “Quiet”, a deeply personal song that presents Rachael’s voice demandingly and gently, simultaneously.
Happenstance is one of the chance occurrences where you hear one song and yearn for more. Rachael’s smooth, sultry voice gets under the listener’s skin…but in a good way, of course. - Rolonda Watts
Published March 23, 2009 for Clutch
Rolonda Watts was the host of her eponymous internationally syndicated talk show, Rolonda, for four seasons. She began her television career as a news reporter in Greensboro, North Carolina, before joining WNBC-TV in New York, where she received an Emmy nomination for her “Live Spot News Coverage” of a deadly train crash. She later moved on to WABC-TV in New York to anchor, report and moderate “Eyewitness News Conference,” the station’s weekly political forum.
Rolonda gained national exposure and attention when she became host of Lifetime Television’s talk show, Attitudes, in 1987. There, she received a Cable Ace nomination for “Best Talk Show”. The award-winning journalist went on to tackle news around the world, joining the Inside Edition news magazine team as senior correspondent, weekend anchor and producer. King Word Productions, the syndicator of Inside Edition then asked her to start her own talk show.
Rolonda has also emerged as one of the leading voice-over talents in America and has demonstrated her comedic and dramatic talents in various television shows and feature films.
Clutch: What have you been up to?
Rolonda: I just finished a novel, currently called Destiny Lingers. I also continue to enjoy my voiceover career as the announcer and promo voice for The Judge Joe Brown Show. I am the voice of Boeing and play “Professor Wiseman” on Curious George. And, I have an animated feature out, called The Great Music Caper.
Clutch: What is your proudest achievement thus far?
Rolonda: Today, I feel particularly proud of having finished a 330-page novel. I have always dreamed of being an author, and I am finally well on my way into another passion and career. I must say that The Rolonda Show was also a proud achievement. We helped a lot of people, and we all learned a great deal. We are also able to survive four seasons in a very tumultuous talk show climate. And, we maintained our dignity and integrity in what seemed to be a compromising time.
Clutch: What do you attribute to your success?
Rolonda: My parents, my community, my education, my faith, and my God.
Clutch: What’s next for you?
Rolonda: I look forward to selling my novel, which I also intend to sell as a movie. I would love to write the screenplay. I have learned to be open in life and want to consider all kinds of options in the future — in TV, radio, internet, and film — acting, writing, producing, and hosting.
Clutch: Any final words for your fans at Clutch?
Rolonda: Please know how very much I appreciate you. Stay tuned! - J. Dakar On: Celebrity Endorsements
Published January 31, 2008 for Concrete Loop
Pulitzer Prize nominee Maya Angelou and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison are causing quite a stir, as are many other well-known figures throughout America, by making celebrity endorsements of presidential candidates.
Nowadays, it’s easy to capitalize on pretty much anything, and that’s exactly what a lot of celebrities are doing.
About 47 percent of Americans between the ages of 18-24 voted in the 2004 presidential election, up from 36 percent in 2000, according to the Census Bureau. But I can’t help but think that “Vote or Die!” had something to do with that. Was using high-profile names such as Paris Hilton or Ludacris as a way to stress the importance of voting the best way to do it, though?
The proof is in the pudding, as Bill Cosby would say (or would he?). Citizen Change, the political service group founded by mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, sought “to educate, motivate and empower millions of young Americans to access their power and vote”.
Apparently the junior-high method was the way to go: “the popular people are doing it; so should you.” Unfortunately, society at-large has a strong desire to do what celebrities do, and it starts at a very young age.
If Britney (well..maybe a couple of years ago), Beyoncé or Björk (well, maybe not Björk at any time) start dressing a certain way, it’s a pretty safe bet that more than half of the girls in your area will attempt to emulate them. Our growing fascination with celebrities mimics the notion that if they’re doing it, we should be doing it. But, let’s face facts: very few of us are celebrities, and we are not meant to do the things they do, but they see that so many us try to and they do whatever they can to gain a little something from that.
Pat Sajak, the host of Wheel of Fortune wrote in November that “if any group of citizens is uniquely unqualified to tell someone else how to vote, it’s those of us who live in the sheltered, privileged arena of celebrityhood.” I couldn’t agree more, and although I am by no means a celebrity, I add myself to the “uniquely unqualified” group.
I commend Diddy for what Citizen Change helped accomplish and other celebrities who stress the importance of voting in the upcoming election. However, I am a free-thinking individual (just like everyone else) and refuse to vote just because my favorite actor, author, athlete or the like announces who they’ll be voting for when that time comes.
I urge you all to inform yourselves of what’s going on around you with multiple sources and always remember to, in the words of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Gaines, “Question everything. Every stripe, every star, every word spoken. Everything.” - Troy Monaco
Published May 11, 2009 for Clutch
He’s worked on major projects with some of the major players behind some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and he’s only 30 years old.
Publicity artist Troy Monaco got his start writing bios and updating the resumes of his artist and actor friends. Hearing and writing about the experiences of others in the entertainment industry sparked his interest in all things entertainment related and eventually put him on the path to a career in public relations.
After earning a degree in marketing and internet & eCommerce, he went on to doing on-air promotions at Toronto’s urban radio station FLOW 93.5. Working the Toronto nightlife scene eventually paved the way to his move to New York City, and after several years of working in public relations in NYC, he’s currently working both independently and as PR Director for MEGA Management. Clutch caught up with the public relations expert to catch up on all he’s doing and where he sees the field heading.
Clutch: What would say is the hardest part of your job?
Troy Monaco: Always having to describe what a publicist does and then going through the questions and comments about how much fun my job must be and what celebrities have I met. People tend to see only the glamorous side, not the long hours or the constant need to be detailed oriented and focused.
Clutch: What do you love/hate most about it?
Troy Monaco:
Love: Hearing how happy my clients are with the results.
Hate: Dealing with people/businesses that do not understand the importance of following up.
Clutch: Take us through a typical day in the life of Troy Monaco.
Troy Monaco: Coffee or green tea (coffee if I need a kick start, green tea if I need to de-stress), turn on CNN, check email/PDA, follow up emails/calls, press outreach, new prospect research, various daily client calls, check event calendar for special events to accompany clients for networking and light socializing (events are always business never personal).
Clutch: What would you say to someone interested in pursuing a career in PR?
Troy Monaco: The most important things you have in this business are your name and your contacts. Handle with care. Why? Your name is your business card in this field, and as for your contacts, it’s easier to lose a great contact than to find one.
Clutch: Aside from your work, what else do you enjoy doing?
Troy Monaco: Travel (collecting stamps in my passport!) Next stop Dubai and Hong Kong.
Clutch: Any thoughts/ideas on what the future holds for your field?
Troy Monaco: The possibilities are endless! With the advent and rise of new media technology, online social networking and content sharing, the ability access to information in the 21st century is now directly at your fingertips. Past models of news and media sharing have shifted dramatically from print publications (newspapers and magazines) to web portals, SMS messaging and networks (e.g. YouTube, Twitter, text messaging, and a variety of file sharing applications). We can now self publish, broadcast and disseminate information in real time and with a much higher refresh rate — no more waiting for your favorite magazine subscription to show up in the mail or for the 6 o’clock news.
Clutch: Where do you see yourself in a few years?
Troy Monaco: I’m currently working on a new venture in Toronto called RSVP, a Brand Strategy and Communications Firm committed to connecting the urban entertainment and lifestyle industries in Toronto to the US and Internationally. Consider RSVP as the new arrival hub for Toronto – the next great metropolitan destination and playground for those who enjoy pursuits in lifestyle, culture and the entertainment industry. - Sade — The Best of Sade
If you’re a product of the eighties, most likely you’ve never known a time without the ever prolific, soulful Sade and frankly, who would want to? The Best of Sade is a sixteen track masterpiece featuring some of the band’s best work until 1992. Released in 1994, the album went double platinum in the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy, in addition to going platinum in nine other countries.
With her exotic beauty and captivating voice, the band’s frontwoman manages to cast a spell on any listener; however, I must admit, it’s “never as good as the first time”. Somewhere around 1995, I stumbled across an old cassette tape in my dad’s study. As a teenage male, anything that featured a beautiful woman on the cover piqued my interest. I rushed to put the cassette in my stereo, and the first thing I heard were the horns and bass of “Is It a Crime”. Then I heard one of the most beautiful voices say, “This may come…this may come as some surprise, but I miss you.” I missed her too, yet I didn’t even know who she was.
It was Sade’s sophomore album, Promise, released ten years earlier in 1985, which quickly catapulted her to the top of my list of favorite singers. I thought to myself, “Why hadn’t I heard this before?” Or of Sade, for that matter. Perhaps, an even better question at the time would have been, “Who is Sade?” I wasn’t even sure of how to pronounce her name until my dad came in the room and muttered something along the lines of, “Hooked on Sade, huh?” And that, I certainly was.
Helen Folasade Adu was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, to an African father and an English mother. Growing up, she’d listen to some of the best soul singers of her time like Ray Charles, Nina Simone and Marvin Gaye — artists who were able to capture an emotion, such as heartache or love, and force that feeling upon all who listened; a skill Sade, herself, also naturally possesses.
The effortless “Stronger than Pride” fuses island beats, jazz and R&B into a timeless classic. Her dynamic handling of “Is It a Crime,” is what caught my attention. The soft, gentle tone in the beginning is overrun with emotion as Sade pleads for a love lost. “Jezebel”, with its haunting appeal and vulnerability evident in her voice, forces you to listen and take notice. But, of course, you should be doing that anyway. On “No Ordinary Love”, Sade’s voice oozes sex appeal, making it one of the best love-making songs ever. The lyrics to “Cherish the Day”, fit perfectly into the deep, sensual musical accompaniment. “Pearls”, the jewel that closes this collection, is so full of emotion, I cried the first time I heard it.
I’m not entirely sure how one would classify Sade; so many influences are evident in their music. However, this is definitely a chill-out album to relax with your loved one and “cherish the day”.
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Tweets
- @akacharleswade Man on a Mission
- I'm a Fan of Girls on @GetGlue http://t.co/HWL17VNA
- Those around you not helping you ON your way are probably IN your way.
- It's just the 700 mile situation.May 23, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @blackvoices Is it really surprising, though?
- Plausible deniability is a must in this field.May 23, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- My inbox is empty, but my action folder is anything but.May 23, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @supagirlwonder I saw that one, but I didn't really SEE it 'til you sent that link. Dude is now blind b/c of it. Oh man!
- @supagirlwonder Searching YouTube for "shingles commercial" does not give me what I need. These drug companies know it's social media time!
- @supagirlwonder @stephaniehw @infamylives @JayyBoni @GabrielGadfly It really provoked action, huh? Have a link for it?
- @supagirlwonder @stephaniehw @infamylives @JayyBoni @GabrielGadfly You can get the vaccine: http://t.co/7PsZiflM
- @supagirlwonder Have you had chickenpox?
- @calinative I looked at the brotha said "Damn, what's next?"
- Great read on What Happens When We Don’t Teach Our Boys About Sex http://t.co/VXv19sLj via @GoodMenProjectMay 23, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Every day I'm shufflin'. See what I did there?May 23, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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Recent Tracks
- Little Broken Hearts by Norah Jones
- Take It Back by Norah Jones
- Happy Pills by Norah Jones
- Out On The Road by Norah Jones
- Travelin' On by Norah Jones
- 4 Broken Hearts by Norah Jones
- After The Fall by Norah Jones
- Take It Back by Norah Jones
- Thank God For Hometowns by Carrie Underwood
- One Way Ticket by Carrie Underwood
Norah JonesKanye WestJanelle MonáeSadeThe RootsDrakeOutKastErykah BaduMary J. BligeToni BraxtonCorinne Bailey RaeAlicia KeysRobin ThickeBeyoncéJay-ZCee Lo GreenAdeleJohn MayerJill ScottBig K.R.I.T.Jason MrazKings of LeonJay-Z & Kanye WestMiguel30 Seconds to MarsNe-YoKeyshia ColeR. KellyMatt MorrisJohn LegendCitizen CopeHooverphonicMichael JacksonFlorence + the MachineT.I.MaxwellEminemPeter GabrielDeftonesLil' WayneMarsha AmbrosiusJamie LidellChris BrownRadioheadKatharine McPheeJamie FoxxUsherGoldfrappJamiroquaiAmerie- 102 plays
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- Morning Bird by Sade83 plays
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- Sure Thing by Miguel68 plays
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Reading
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Posts
This is the most libertarian generation that has ever existed. I just think it’s taking a little bit longer for people to realize … but in 10 or 20 years, once our age group starts to have more of an influence in society, we’re going to see very significant shifts in what’s happening.
I think life might be a bit nicer for us if we were to get up with the sun in the morning, eat when we are hungry, work when we are most productive, and go to bed when we are sleepy—regardless of the clock time.
- I recall from my college courses the importance of empowering women, and it’s rare to find a television show that does so. But The Conversation does just that with candid discussion from a female point of view. Nothing is off-limits, and with interviews from women who are both interesting (in the pop-culture sense) and unafraid to speak their minds, this is definitely must-see TV, airing Thursdays at 11 ET on Lifetime.
Great job, Amanda and The Conversation team! Keep up the great work. - If I Should Die
The title alone seems so out of place for a guy who’s just celebrated his 28th birthday. My week-long birthday celebration/vacation gave me time to think and reflect on my life thus far, and as morbid as it may be, I didn’t think I’d live to see this 28th year.
It’s funny how a birthday forces one to address mortality, or maybe that’s just me. When my dad called to wish me a happy birthday, he asked if I felt any older. My mom did the same when she saw me a few days later, and I replied to both that I didn’t and immediately began to think about how I actually felt younger than I had in the past.
I was reminded of my plan to commit suicide years ago and praying to God to remove those thoughts and feelings. I wouldn’t be here today were it not for my faith in Him, but I became even more aware of my mortality writing about death years later:
I do not fear it, nor seek it, nor do I think I can cheat it; I simply accept it. The only thing I fear is that everything I hope to accomplish won’t be before my time comes.By that time, I had learned a couple of things about death.
If you fear death, you think that it’s something that you can avoid and refuse to accept that it is going to happen eventually.
If you seek death, depending on the reason, you’re a coward. If you try to escape from your problems through death, you are a selfish coward.
If you think you can cheat death and imagine yourself as being invincible, you are an idiot. You will die; it is only a matter of when and how.
But I am now at a place where I know and understand that I am not in control of certain things, and death happens to be one of them…just as I see that the plans I had for myself will not supersede the original plans God has for me. My only plan and what I hope to accomplish now is living a life full of passion and purpose as I do His will.
It’s no wonder I felt so old; trying to plan a lifetime would have that effect on anyone. But now that I’m a little older (and thankfully, a little wiser), I feel so truly blessed to actually be a little younger. I can only imagine how that must sound to someone who isn’t me. Words can’t even begin to describe this feeling, but I wish everyone could experience it with each passing year.
Just know that regardless of what you’re going through, you can and will endure.
Trust me, I’m a living testimony.
♫ Post Title Soundtrack: Big K.R.I.T. — “If I Should Die”
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16- Cleaning Out My Closet
Time spent organizing my closet also served as an opportunity for reflection. I firmly believe that everyone who comes into your life serves a purpose, but that doesn’t mean they will hold a place there forever.
I’ve learned so much about myself over the last couple of years, but it hasn’t come without help from others around me. One of my most enlightening experiences came from a now ex-girlfriend. You know how people say that someone close to them made them a better person? Well, she was that someone for me…but because of the way things ended I never got the chance to tell her. That is, until I emailed her thanking her for the profound impact she had on my life.
Why didn’t I call her? The last time we spoke was a disaster, and I didn’t need or want to hear her voice. I’ve never been one to rekindle old flames, so that certainly wasn’t an issue; I just wanted to say what I needed to say and go on about my day. I intentionally wrote the email with no need for a response from her, and given the fact that she and I were/are so much alike, I don’t expect one.
While our relationship ended abruptly and I’ve since moved on (as I hope she has, as well), I’m forever grateful for our time together and simply having known her.
♫ Post Title Soundtrack: Eminem — “Cleaning Out My Closet”
The answer is not readily susceptible and your notion of what being from the South means to you may be totally different from mine. And we can talk about that. After all, Lord knows we do like to talk down here. Preferably while sitting on a nice front porch with a cool glass of something in our hands. So here goes.
- Restart
This time of year is always bittersweet for me with my birthday and the anniversary of my best friend’s death. It’s generally a time for reflection as I contemplate the past year and the future one’s hopes and aspirations.
So much has happened over this last year—some good, some bad, but all worthwhile to keep me striving for success. Over the last few months, I’ve failed to take the time to reflect on all that’s going on in my life so this time of year couldn’t have come at a better time.
Until I sit down and actually think about it, I don’t realize all that’s going on with me because I’ve come to accept it for what it is and choose not to dwell on it. Having two careers while also pursuing a master’s degree, though, is a challenge, but I’m maintaining. I don’t have a lot of free time, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for the time being. I’ve postponed the books I’ve been working on until I complete graduate school, but I REALLY want to start writing more personally again.
I miss the days when I could just write…granted, those days are what helped me get to this point in my life, but back then it was so easy to just sit down and write stream of consciousness. I wrote nearly daily with little or no regard for censorship, but that was before I became “J. Dakar”.
Angel and I had a conversation a few months ago about this, and I realized that the more I write professionally the less I tend to do so personally. Although I’ve always been a bit enigmatic, I’ve become much more guarded with what I share because I’d like to retain a bit of myself for those closest to me. In addition, J. Dakar is a brand, and I’m very conscious about what I project and don’t want to jeopardize the brand in any way. In fact, a top PR firm recently reached out to me in an effort to see how interested I might be in offering them an opportunity to assist me, and I know it’s partly because of the job I’ve done thus far managing my image.
I can no longer use that as an excuse for not writing, though. Over the years, I’ve become quite adept at saying what I want or need to say without saying too much. I just haven’t made the time to write from a more personal aspect. I’ve mentioned how writing has been my catharsis; I think it’s time I get back to that…
♫ Post Title Soundtrack: Bilal — “Restart”
Boyz II Men — A Song for Mama
Today is my mother’s 50th birthday. Words can’t even begin to express how truly blessed I am. Earlier, I posted a favorite Abraham Lincoln quote on Facebook and Twitter: “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother,” and it’s so apropos. Thank you for teaching and guiding me. Thank you for always encouraging and supporting me. Thank you for being you, and I love you!
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