Yesterday, two former students – student-athletes – paid me a surprise visit.
Two Former Students Paid Me A Surprise Visit
April 25, 2017 - Announcements
April 25, 2017 - Announcements
April 16, 2017 - Announcements
Today, I began my 10-week screenwriting course.
Henceforth, I’ll be very busy in the next few months and beyond.
That said, I have learned a lot on the first day already.
Unfortunately, I learned that I will not be able to keep most of the novel’s material for the screenplay (85 pages to 120 pages for a beginning screenwriter).
However, I could adapt my book to a TV miniseries (10 episodes – 10 screenplays). Thus, I would then be able to keep most of my novel’s material.
Decisions, decisions, decisions….
A New York University professorial colleague is right that I need to get signed to an agent. Until then, I have to manage the “show” and the “business” aspects of this journey.
March 28, 2017 - Announcements
Exciting News!
A New York City Department of Education’ (NYC DOE) committee approved Afrika’s Struggle: His Experiential Journey as a textbook.
NYC DOE is the largest market in the United States of America. (For comparison, the Chicago Department of Education is the second largest market in the United States of America). Additionally, it is a very difficult market to access due to its rigorous and arduous vetting/application process.
February 23, 2017 - Events
On President’s Day, in Manhattan, I met with interested parties as it pertains to bringing my book, Afrika’s Struggle: His Experiential Journey to film.
Keeping in tune with Black History month, later in the afternoon, I watched I Am Not Your Negro at the Film Society of the Lincoln Center. I highly recommend everyone to see it. The documentary offers you different perspectives on James Baldwin and other contemporary luminaries of his time.
Afterward, I had dinner at Chez Josephine in Times Square. Chez Josephine was founded by one of the legendary Josephine Baker’s adopted sons. The food, the ambiance, the service, the live band music (French Jazz) and the vibes were “fantastique.”
January 11, 2017 - Events
Today, I attended a great conference (a “fire chat” with NBC News Journalist Harry Smith) – Steve Blank on innovation vs. entrepreneurship: What’s the difference and why does it matter? at the CUNY Graduate Center. The presentation was informational and I took away many nuggets from it. For example, he explained why Apple will be a dead company in the near future. Four of my former students who were in attendance were thrilled to be there. One of the takeaways, as per one of my former students, is Mr. Blank’s argument on how his experiential journey shaped his destiny as a successful entrepreneur. For example, Mr. Blank argued that some of his colleagues wondered out loud if some of his ventures were not too risky. In response, he told them that taking risks in business pales in comparison to taking risks in war – a matter of life and death.Then, he recounted some near misses and devastating losses (war buddies/colleagues) during his time in the Vietnam War. Afterward, he recalled some near misses and devastating losses (losing 35 million USD days after appearing on Wired Magazine’s cover) on his entrepreneurial journey.
Prof. Steve Blank is a college dropout who founded 8 companies – the last company is worth 8 billion USD. Second, he is a professor at Stanford University where he designs and lectures on courses on entrepreneurism. (By the way, Stanford University has 163 courses on entrepreneurism – the most in the world.) Third, he is one of the earliest pioneers/founding fathers in Silicon Valley. His Lean Startup Model is coopted by the US State and Defense Departments as well as by companies worldwide.