Because I Love Her...New Orleans

She is so beautiful. She is like wine, for she gets better with time. She gets into your being and won't let go. You leave her, but you keep coming back for more. She is not too good for you, but you don't care because she is there when you need her. Her sexiness perpertrates your soul, and you cannot think about anybody but her. She does this to you with ease. Everyone says she 'ain't' no good, but she's good for you. Everyone loves her but only for awhile.

While you think I am talking about a woman. I am thinking of New Orleans. I personified New Orleans as woman because New Orleans penetrates your soul like one. Only a woman can do what she does. She gives and gives, but the worst part about no one thinks about giving back to her. Just take, take, take. Everyday I sit and think about how I can give back to New Orleans and its rich tradition. New Orleans deserves it. She really deserves it.

For years I wondered what my talents were. I realized that I couldn't sing. I couldn't dance. I couldn't play an instrument. I always loved music. There's more to music than playing it. I dj'd for a minute in college, but it was the business side that always fascinated me. While I was Dillard University I interned for Hidden Beach Recordings at its infancy. I remembered the first time I saw Jill Scott at The Roots concert at House of Blues. It was then that I knew she would be a star. Then the following summer she hosted the superlounge with Doug E. Fresh at the Essence Music Festival. She talked about her new album, Who is Jill Scott on Hidden Beach Recordings. What? I prided myself on knowing record labels even obscure ones no one else heard about. When I got home I searched Hidden Beach Recordings on the internet. I found it and was blown away. I had to be a part of such a great company. I applied for the internship that night.

A few weeks later I received a package in the mail stating that I was accepted into the internship. It was one of the happiest day of my life (at the time). I took that internship seriously. That internship taught me to network. It actually took me out of my shell and talk to people. When you handing out free cds and promo items people are willing to talk to you. I made contacts then that I still have today. The greatest thing I took away from 'The Program' is the network of people around the country I still contact today that I can bounce ideas off of. I also made industry folks that I still have today.

Now New Orleans it's time for me to use my resources of knowledge, talents and networks to your benefit. New Orleans is so marginalized in its event promotion. We are so divided on racial lines. We party in colors. Why? There's an influx of races, colors and nationalities that make up New Orleans. Let's celebrate that. Imagine creating a space where everyone is free from labels, demands or pressures and can be themselves. Everyone's a star in New Orleans, for it's the unique people that give New Orleans its character. Think of a place where you can be exposed to the new and reminded of the ol where dancing and having a good time reign supreme. While this is my vision, it will be a reality soon enough. Laissez les bon temps roulez.