You can physically toil and train for years to be a champion, but you can never win the ultimate prize you seek until you can become a champion in your own mind.  When I was a kid I watched films like Rudy, The Might Ducks, Rocky, The Cutting Edge, and Cool Runnings (the scene above is one of my favorite scenes in the whole movie).  In each of these films I can remember vividly the moment when the main character faces their own personal doubts and decides to put their insecurities to the side.  I recall how facing and conquering self doubt liberated these main characters and gave them a since of empowerment that I call “knowingness.”

Today I wish for us all to come into a sense of “knowingness” as it relates to our dreams. Understand that what you dream becomes your plan as soon as you release all doubts and commit to that dream.  I challenge you to push out all doubt and replace the doubt you once harbored with unwavering conviction that you will achieve your dreams.  It is the sureness that exudes from every one of our pores that will manifest into whatever reality we’ve confirmed in our own minds.  Knowing breeds success.  Look in the mirror and tell me what you see! #YBM

I have no idea where my classmate is today, but I’m willing to bet he isn’t a “working” artist. The middle school him and I went to was a charter school so compared to other school environments he was encouraged more then harassed about his art work. He even got commissioned by our school to do a mural on the wall of the gym. High school however, was a whole different story. Teachers would give him flack for drawing in class and he kept getting caught up with graffiti misdemeanors. He ended up leaving the local public high school and going to an alternative school.

If I were to run into my classmate today I would tell him about Infectious.com.  For so long Street Art has got a bad wrap from society and instead of cultivating the talent of people like my classmate the school system tries to stomp out their dreams or redirect their energy.  (I used the term “Street Art” begrudgingly but, I do acknowledge that my usage of the term will help to illustrate the art “genre” I’m talking about, but I really do hate categorizing things.) Well, YBMers there is no better time then now to be a street artist.  Turn your work into an income generator and start making folks recognize and PAY for the talent you possess.

Art on Cars

What is Infectious?:

• Infectious is a website that makes art for your stuff i.e. Laptops, Blackberry, iPad, iPhone, Skateboard, etc.

Making Money on Infectious:

• Upload your own artwork and create a product.  You can order the product you create and use it for your own personal uses or branding or you can order inventory of the product to resell it.
• Enter a Free4All contest. Infectious holds a monthly contest where artists can submit product art.  The winning artist gets $250, a $100 store credit, and 5% royalties on the product sales of the item they created.
• Get listed as an artist in their global community and advertise your talent. Artists featured on the site have a picture, bio, and link to their website.

Infectious iPhone Skin

Marketing Advise from YBM Marketing expert TruNettworker:

YBM artists let Infectious.com be a tool for you to build your brand and business!  Consider going to WordPress Premium Themes to pick a template and create your own e-commerce website.  If you don’t have a domain try Network Solutions or HostGator to get your domain and hosting set up.  Create products using Infectious and then post pictures of products on your website.  Think of infectious as a cheap way to make a product prototype.  When someone orders from your website you can go to Infectious and create the product and have it sent to your customers.  If you start getting a lot of orders for one item you can carry an inventory of it.  Viva YOUR ART!

After 9 months of submersing himself in Nigerian movie culture and learning the ins and outs of the Nigerian film industry Njoku launched Iroko Partners a private investment firm devoted to creating the first legal distribution infrastructure for “Nollywood” films.

Soon after launching Iroko Partners Njoku went to work meeting with Nollywood stakeholders explaining his vision and securing Audio and Visual On Demand licensing contracts with the major production houses Kas Vid International, Emmy Rich Productions, and many others.  The product of Njoku’s passion and outreach is a website called Nollywood Love.

Nollywood Love YouTube Channel

Nollywood Love provides Nigerian movies on demand to its subscribers.  Launched late December of 2010 Nollywood Love has already amassed 1.2 million uniques and over 20,000 subscribers in its 5 months since launch!  Hats off to YBMer Jason Njoku for finding a need and providing a solution.

Reporter Sarah Lacy broke the story about the success of Iroko Partners via TechCrunch.  Check our her awesome interview with Njoku and his staff:

Say it loud! I’m Christian and proud!

Meet DeVon Franklin a 33 year old Bay Area native who is one of the youngest Hollywood executives in the nation.  At 33 years old DeVon serves as the VP of Production at Columbia Pictures a division of Sony Entertainment where he has assisted with the production of blockbuster hits such as “The Pursuit of Happiness,” “The Karate Kid,” and “Hancock.”  Devon’s success is a testament to how you can keep your faith and be successful in Hollywood.

5 Must See Links With More on DeVon Franklin:

1. Franklin’s new book “Produced by Faith”.  It teaches readers how to be successful without loosing yourself or compromising your faith.
2. In an interview with I Am Entertainment Magazine Franklin talks about how to stay in tune with why you are pursuing what you are pursuing. You don’t want to miss his interview
3. Jumping the Broom is Franklin’s most recent production project if you haven’t seen the movie yet you can check out the trailer for more details.
4. He is on Twitter (@devon_franklin) and FB (facebook.com/producedbyfaith)
5. Lastly, here is a short video DeVon made about himself and his work enjoy!

The Birth of Basic Basketball
Growing up in Compton, California, basketball was a space where Rovalier Thompson could positively interact with other young men. “There were about 5 kids who were cut from the same cloth as me.  Yet, the only time we had to hang out was during practice, and our games.  I always wished to spend more time with these guys,” says Thompson.

As a young child into adolescence, he watched his father run a youth outreach program.   He knew that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, and serve as a guiding force for African-American men.  “It started out with a vision,” says Thompson.  As a coach for his son’s recreational basketball team, he knew he wanted to create something bigger and better.

This bigger and better vision was manifested into Basic Basketball.

The Principles of Basic Basketball
This program is built on the foundation of helping African-American young men between the ages of 5-14.  Basic Basketball fosters an environment where they can be part of a team atmosphere and receive coaching and mentoring, both on and off the court.

Each week, young men come from the neighborhoods of Inglewood, Compton, Rosewood, and Carson to meet at a space where they are encouraged and motivated to not only progress in the sport of Basketball, but in all areas of their lives.

“We try to teach the young men lessons on etiquette, posture, and how to obtain good manners.  A lot of our young men come from single parent homes, and when their moms get to see how well behaved they are at games, it’s a pleasure,” says Thompson.

The coaches serve as mentors, carpool drivers, teachers, and most importantly friends.  The young men are encouraged to be social, and communicate with the coaches.

“There are times when I get a Facebook message from one of the players telling me they got a good grade on the test, or in school,” says Thompson.

The Contract
The element that sets Basic Basketball apart from similar non-profit organizations is that participants are expected to uphold a contract known as a 20×1.  This contract consists of twenty rules broken up into 4 different sections of life.  The categories are School, Home, Life, and Basketball.

Some of the rules include:

1. School: “Education is first.”
2. Home: “Honor my parents.”
3. Life: “Love myself.”
4. Basketball: “Respect my teammates.”

At any given time, the players must be able to recite the contract by heart.  This contract gives them a rule book that they can apply to themselves.  It also allows them to have something to revert to in times of havoc both in the program and out of the program.

Basic Basketball also allows the young men to get away from their environment.  The players get the chance to visit Palm Springs, Arizona, Las Vegas, and San Diego each year.  Additionally, there are several social outings where players get to enjoy a trip to the movies or restaurants as a team.

The Future of Basic Basketball
Today, Thompson upholds the mission statement he set out for Basic Basketball; “Giving this generation something the last generation gave me.”

He hopes by planting the seed in one child’s life, that child will do the same thing for another child.  A long term goal of Basic Basketball is to be a program that touches one young man from this generation to the next.

Rovalier Thompson also works with various basketball coaches of other teams, hoping to teach them to implement the values of Basic Basketball into their programs and more young African-American men.

~YBM Note~
If you want to start a venture of your own, just do it.  There are going to be trying times, and people who tell you that you can’t do it.  Have the desire and perseverance in your heart to keep the momentum going.  Don’t let anyone stop you from achieving your vision!

The Rundown of The Relationship Playbook
The Relationship Playbook website is an organic extension of  Will Wavvy’s successful BlogTalk radio segment, “The Game,” where Wavvy has built a reputation for giving listeners unfiltered truth about relationships.  With The Relationship Playbook website Wavvy is attempting to strip the phrase “The Game” of it’s negative connotations, and instead use it as a metaphor to share practical and relatable advice about relationships with his readers.

“People think that the word “game,” especially when associated with relationships, has to be manipulative.  I believe that it can be two people, preset rules, and a favorable outcome,” says Wavvy.

What to Expect  From Relationship Playbook
The Relationship Playbook uses football references and terminology to offer advice to readers on relationships.  The sections of the website are broken down into the following categories, which each represent a separate aspect of relationships.
•  Preseason – Dating and the single life
•  Regular Season – Relationships
•  MVP – Personal Development
•  Post Season – Marriage
•  Off season – Break-ups
•  Naughty Notebooks – Sex

Will Wavvy, and his talented writers, view themselves as relationship coaches.  Wavvy’s main goal with the website is to serve as a trusted guide for African-Americans on how to deal with the peaks and valleys of relationships.

“Often times we’re (African-Americans) forced to go to Ask.Com when searching for relationship advice.  We’re truly lacking the resources that help us to cultivate healthy relationships among one another,” says Wavvy.

About Will Wavvy

The Relationship Playbook (“TRP”) Founder, Will Wavvy, always wanted to be a motivational speaker.  He admired the way a person could speak for a short span of time, yet change lives.  He aspired to be a life coach that could guide people.

One event in Wavvy’s life that deeply moved him to pursue his goal of becoming a motivational speaker was the death of his brother.  At 18 years of age, his brother died of a heart attack while playing for his high school basketball team.  Wavvy attended the funeral alongside many family members and friends, yet he still felt alone.  He had no one to comfort him over the loss of his sibling.

He grieved by reading several biographies and motivational books on how to help others.  Ultimately, in the wake of his brother’s passing, Wavvy made a vow to himself that he would always be there to aid other people in their time of need.

With the Relationship Playbook and “The Game” radio show, Wavvy has fulfilled his desire to help and motivate others.

Tips to From Will Wavvy

1. To be successful, try turning what you want to do into what you will do.  What you will do into what you can do.  What you can do into what you’re doing.   And what you’re doing into what you have done.
2. It’s best to assume that people will not follow your advice and examples.
3. When you’re engaging in motivational speaking, remember that you cannot please everybody.
4. No matter what you say, you may offend somebody, so stand by your words.

Today, The Relationship Playbook continues to grow anywhere from 2,000-3,000 readers per month.  Will Wavvy is looking to go on a nationwide tour with other keynote speakers, relationship authorities, and authors.  For more information on The Relationship Playbook be sure to view the TRP Facebook page.