SOLE TO SOUL

Dreamers Never Die

“Kids nowadays just getting too lazy, people have stopped dreaming…..” Michael Antolin

What started out as a casual conversation soon turned into one of inspiration and one that I feel is blog worthy.

I met Michael back in May at the second Air Yeezy drop and instantly knew he was a cool guy but more than that he was driven. Micheal was armed with his camera and literally snapping the night away – you could immediately see that Photography was his passion amongst other things. And that was the basis of our conversation the other night – passion and drive and how it seems to be lacking amongst our peers.

It should go without saying that you should be motivated in your life. If you look around you, as I often do, there are things that can get you down or make you doubt that certain things are not possible but we shouldn’t be constricted by our environment and in our present state of life. Whatever we are doing we should always envisage the future, you should always want to strive for better things, you should always dream.

Excuse me if I’m sounding a little too poetic but I’m a big dreamer. Those who know me best, know that I think a lot, and although it can be to my detriment I like to imagine as I truly believe that dreams act as the foundation of our thoughts.

Without sounding too condescending, I see the kids in question and you can just tell that their mindset is solely focused on the here and now rather than the bigger picture. Their dream is short-lived, they want all the rewards now and are not prepared to work for it. It is true that good things come to those who wait, but you have to be prepared to wait, to watch your initial dream grow and manifest into something great. Marcus Troy posted these words a couple days ago and I agree with them, “People say they want IT, but they don’t really want IT. The thought of having IT sounds great, but they’re not built for the work to get IT.”

Many a time I call my Dad when University work and life are getting to me and his words of reassurance are always the same, “No-one said this was going to be easy, you have to work for it doll!”

Working hard for your dreams should be at the heart of everything you do. Just ask yourself this, how bad do you really want it?

I was inspired not only by Michael but also the self proclaimed “bloggers blogger”  William Yan and an email he received called Defining Your Life’s Direction that I feel ties in to what I’m trying to say about being driven in your life and pursuing a dream, “no one is born with and understanding of the scope of their purpose. If you have drifted through life, you may feel directionless. Striving to discover your life’s work can help you realize your true potential and live a more authentic, driven life.”

Michael said he respected my hustle and that really humbled me. I never mean to come on here and brag with what I’m doing and what I have done if anything it should show you that your dreams are attainable. In my quest to get into footwear design but more specifically product marketing I have pursued certain avenues in order to get advice and make a dream come true. Yet, I’m not the blueprint for this, but the formula is simple. Don’t be afraid to dream, to try and work hard because if you want it that bad, you should really go for it. More words from Michael Antolin “its all about acting upon things, if you don’t do anything your not going to get anything out of it and if you put in the hard work now, you will watch your success grow.”

I love Michael’s words because they are true. Some people lack passion and drive and as a result are failing to achieve their dreams. It comes from inside – self will and drive, you should, “take stock of your strengths, passions, beliefs, and values can help you refine your search for purpose if you don’t know where to begin.”

Chipmunk’s song Beast featuring Loick Essien has a great line to sum this up, “If you get that chance then take it, don’t let talent get wasted.”

Don’t let you dreams die!

Paris: Le Quai 54 Part One

Sometimes things just click.

When certain things happen and neatly  fall into place its almost like its meant to be. This is the thought I had when I started planning my trip to Paris. The chance to meet Gentry Humphrey Director of Jordan Brand, watch an international streetball tournament and surprise the BF for his birthday – perfect! Well apart from the fact that I blew the surprise!

Le Quai 54 is dubbed the best streetball tournament in Europe, I’ve wanted to go to this competition for the past two years and it was definitely worth the wait. Greg Tanner once defined streetball as “basketball in its purest form” and Le Quai was the epitome of that, as over the two days I witnessed tough competitive basketball, with some moments of street flair and a bellowing coach from the sideline. Even though the regular season is over, summer is still all about basketball with Midnight Madness starting in the next few weeks, Le Quai 54 definitely set the tone.

Le Quai’s motto was “Bring your name, Not your Game” as teams from Japan, Italy, The Netherlands, America and UK done just that as they played for the title on the asphalt of the Stade Georges Carpientier.

The weather hot and the atmosphere was electric to say the least. I was intrigued to see how the French “got down”. Entertaining is a crowd is not easy, I should know I used to host  but Le Quai seemed more than prepared at half time and after games the MC’s took charge of the crowd. There was a ton of competitions for the crowd to participate and not all basketball related as you will see later, I only wish I understood French as this guy Makobe was making the crowd laugh out loud!

Le Quai was a Jordan sponsored event so it was only right that I dressed for the occasion and it seemed others also followed suit.

As said before I had the feeling like this, me being in Paris right now was just meant to be. I have Jason Mayden to thank for the next part of the story to tell as without him it would not be possible. I consider Jason to be my mentor as he puts me on the right path and gives me crucial advice about how to break into the foot wear industry and while I take advice from him, he too had a great mentor to guide him and that was Gentry Humphrey.

Now for those of you who don’t know Gentry Humphrey is THE GUY over at Jordan Brand. From working his way up to Nike Regional Sales Representative to then become the Director, he has had a input in twenty three most iconic shoes in basketball footwear history.

Now, that may just be my opinion but for those of you who don’t adore kicks as much as I do and are not really into basketball the Jordan shoe is historic because when it was first released in 1985 it broke the convention of a basketball shoe, apart from the fact that it’s initial red/black colourway was banned it was considered a breakthrough because it fused performance with fashion – it was a basketball shoe you could wear off court, as I and many others do even today.

I’m reading a book at the moment entitled Young Black Rich and Famous by Todd Boyd. In a quick overview it deals with the rise of the NBA, the Hip Hop invasion of the 80’s and the transformation of American culture. His main theme is how Hip Hop and basketball interlocked and provided a base for which African Americans could propel themselves into mainstream American culture. Boyd dedicates a whole chapter on what Michael Jordan contributed to the game but also business of basketball. He defines him as, ”one of the most ubiquitous icons ever [because he used the sport of basketball] to become one of the most talked-about figures in the history of American popular culture”. Michael Jordan created his own legacy as his games are still talked about and his shoes are still worn.

Jordan’s footwear success initially stems from a great team of designers, namely Peter Moore and the fact that he was able to bridge a gap between the emerging black Hip Hop culture and the rise of the NBA and therefore create and market the Air Jordan shoes.

It was a major rush for me to go to Opium which is a sneaker boutique in Paris but more so a Jordan Brand shrine. With signed designs by Michael Jordan’s right hand man Tinker Hatfield on the wall, I was in heaven as I stepped through the doors. In awe as I walked around because they had ORIGINAL 1’s, 5’s, and 7’s wrapped up in plastic and some even with the box.

My love affair for Jordan shoes started 2 years ago when I bought my first pair of Retro 1’s, in that same year I picked up some lows and in 2008 I copped some more. The original models have seen a massive resurgence with new colourways and tweaks being applied to the Air Jordan’s to bring the 80’s shoe into the twenty first century. It was great to meet someone with the same passion and appreciation as me. On the second day of the tournament I bumped into a fellow sneaker fan Kevin. What started as a casual conversation soon turned into praise about the whole Jordan line. For near two hours we talked everything sneaker related, colours, dates, prices, styles, stores and more. It’s nice to know your not alone in this crazy world of kick culture!

So………….. Meeting the man who influenced the shoes I love was a very big deal for me.

To say I was nervous was an understatement, I had been planning these questions and the night before I applied some last minute changes. I really wanted to come correct with what I would say to Gentry as his advice was truly priceless and with this very personal to me. What I asked was very career based, what should I specifically be doing to become a credible candidate for Nike Internships and how should I now be building my skills so I could pursue this as a career. Everything I wanted to know got answered. I’m so thankful he took that time to break things down to me. Throughout our conversation my leg was shaking as I was well and truly nervous. We sat court side during half time with the music still playing as I competed with the sound to get my questions across. It would have been pointless for me to use my dictaphone so I relied on my ability to take notes, funny how I mastered it after my second year at University. Reading back over my notes I managed to capture all his advice but the moment can’t really be conveyed through words. This really did mean a lot to me. Gentry explained to me that an essential thing for me to be would network, volunteer and get myself out there. It comes back to making yourself a brand again – especially in the field of Product Marketing it is about marketing yourself and putting yourself out there and getting your face known. My talk with Gentry provided me with a renewed outlook about how to achieve my goal, more hope and even more determination.

At the end of the conversation I couldn’t help but have a smile on my face.

Part Two coming soon.

Time to Go

For the past two years I have made my home Norwich.

I study here at the University of East Anglia, which believe it or not world is not that far from London – believe me! Whenever I say I go to the University of East Anglia the usual reaction is “Rahhh, that’s miles away”. Correction it’s not, I wouldn’t advise the drive but know that you can get here in 1 hour 52 minutes from Liverpool Street – direct train, easy, done!  It just sounds far!

The main reason I came to the University was the course here, for those that don’t know I study American History and English History but am more in love with the former rather than the latter. Another primary reason was believe it or not the location. I had lived in London a full 18 years before I realised I really didn’t like it. I have to be careful with my words here because there are some die hard Londoners out there but I believe we love that city for all the wrong reasons. I chose the University before I went away to live in and work in America for four months on the Camp America programme. When I came back from travelling around the states: New York, Los Angeles, Hawaii and more recently Grenada. I realised that there was much more to London! Do you realise that most Americans never leave the country and just travel state to state…? Where am I gonna go – North London and back.! I realised how small London was and at that moment embraced the reason to move away.

Now don’t get me wrong – I am not totally disowning London I will say this – it is the city that raised me, all my family live there and therefore and I can always call it home. I grew up in Fulham when it was much more nicer when the swimming pool wasn’t owned by Virgin, before they put the basketball court in Eel-brook common and before they pulled Clem Atlee down. That’s Fulham to me and I just don’t see that anymore. Every time I come home I like to play a little game and see what new buildings there are and what local business have closed down. London has changed so much. I don’t want to turn this into a piece about the knife and gun crime that goes on there, you get enough of that from the media. However, I will say this… I don’t feel safe no  more. I truly the believe the mentality of some in London is fearless, they are very focused on all the wrong things and are really not phased by the police, their parents and others.

To be honest, no where on this earth is safe and I can only comment on what I have experienced and that is London. It’s come to a point when I come home, and I feel like the outsider – the tourist.

I’m hoping my opinion on my hometown will change as this summer will be my first home in two years. We will see. I will let you know..

I went off on a tangent with this one, time to get back on.

So I live and study in Norwich but I am soon to be leaving the sanctity of the countryside for the big city – 3458 miles away in Philadelphia. My course requires that I spend a year abroad at an American University – who am I to disagree! So for me, it really is time to go.. I just booked my flight and everything is starting to sink in. Come August it will be more of a reality.

I’m looking forward to the experience no doubt as it’s always been something I wanted to accomplish. I don’t know what entirely to expect, the American school system very different and I think a step up than what I’m used to. I’m looking forward to the culture mostly and the clothes – lets be honest, I might as well go with an empty suitcase because the gear I’m hoping to buy… I’m working on a piece about some of the boutiques I want to visit when I’m out there – if my readers know of any places let me know via comment.

America, with all its faults has such a great culture. I’ve been four times in my life so far and I think the place especially New York is infectious. I leave my apartment in Brooklyn, hop on the 2 train and head into Manhattan. I like to think I blend in, in New York that is untill I open my mouth. The English accent has a power in America, the power to make everyone that hears it make you say talk some more and repeat words back after them like a machine. It’s crazy. I’m wondering whether I will come back with an American accent?

I’m ready for this experience to begin but know it’s not going to be an easy one, more than london I’m leaving a lot of people behind. You think I would be used to it working away each year for four months but the thing with camp is that you build a family out of the people around you. You can’t escape those kids or the staff so they become your support system. I know friends and family will be with me in a way while I’m over there but I am well and truly on my own. It’s going to be like starting University again, leaving home – Norwich and going to my new home Philly.

I’m excited at the prospect of all things new, I like new experiences and challenges.

It wont sink in till August but it really is time to go.

Thank You And You’re Welcome

According to Kanye West every moment in your life should be a thank you and you’re welcome moment and I most certainly agree.

This post is a HUGE THANK YOU to all that read what I have to say on here. I’m extremely humbled when people comment on my posts or when I get Facebook messages from friends who say they like my blog, they love the layout and on three occasions that lemelp.com has inspired them to start blogging. That stuff always makes me happy, it’s good to know that somewhere out there people are reading this. It doesn’t enhance my ego in anyway but more so makes me committed to be focused about this and keep supplying you with my words.

I love the new direction of my blog…. the cool sliding bar at the top and most of the look of the blog is dictated by me but done by the BF and I always owe him thanks!

There is no blueprint to this, there is no set way to blogging. It’s simply about what you want to do and showcase. I truly encourage it!

Thank you for your support and you are all welcome!

Connections

“This might offend my political connects” Jay-Z – Death Of Autotune

Question – Is it who you know or what you know?

Like me or anyone who aspires to do great things in their life and be successful, well known or need I say famous! You look at people out there doing what you desire to do and take note. Many young actors study the characteristics and moves of screen legends out there and those who MC or produce beats aim to imitate the style they see and hear. Just think how many people aim to make beats like Dilla or rhyme like Ye?

In my experience I try and get an insight to the minds of people who are leaders in what they do. I email magazines, people, companies, I follow on twitter and read a lot of articles. It’s a great way to get advice and gain and insight to how that person thinks and also learn how they got to be in the position they are today. It varies with how many responses I get and the steps I have to go through to get to the right person but I truly believe perseverance is key. That’s my personal philosophy, if you don’t try you don’t know – nothing ventured nothing gained but I have come to see how that may just apply to my personality. As for some being persistent can become being pesky, too needy, too desperate.

Yet, it does help to know someone to have those proverbial friends in high places. Therefore is it a case of what you know…. or who you know?

For all time spent at summer basketball events I got the nickname Hook Up Kid. I think it was just because I was in the right place at the right time, always managed to get my hands on an event t-shirt. More so, it was my ability to build connections and friendships. I always played basketball, but around the summer of 2005 I really started to spectate and go to a lot of events with my ‘crew’. The thing with UK basketball and more specifically London basketball is that everyone knows everyone or someone that you know, so just by being at a number of events you get seen. The next step is making yourself known, I always had something to say and that gave me the greatest ‘hook up’.  In the last interview with editor of Fadeaway magazine Greg Tanner, I mention his summer event, Street All Stars, but what I didn’t mention was that I used to host that event – for two years! I organised and lead my own basketball tournament for my club and was responsible for getting sponsorship from Hosana Sportswear. I made my own connections, but more than that I built relationships. I never knew that Greg would be leading his own magazine one day but I have the connection with him where I can call on him for an exclusive interview.

My movements are still that way inclined, I make myself known put myself in the right places, build relationships and with perseverance and luck get a good outcome. Intrigued with how, people used to ask me how did I get that or how do you know that person or how comes your lunch and pudding are bigger portions than anyone else! I just replied because I’m Lemara. Back then I was being arrogant in saying that, but now I think my name is my word, I’m my own brand and I work hard to have a reputable name.

But it is not that easy for some and it definitely isn’t as easy as it may read back on the page. What you know, not so much who you know should be what propels you into the forefront, but I will contradict myself when I say it kind of helps.

I watch Run’s House from time to time. Rev Run and his brother put Hollis Queens on the map for hip hop and urban street wear clothing. Through sheer hard work they made themselves icons in the music and fashion industry. Now, their kids look at them and want to achieve that same fame. I’m not saying Run shouldn’t help his children out but I think they get where they are purely off their fathers name. It’s who you know! I think their Uncle Russell is very aware of this as in the episodes I’ve seen, specifically when his nieces and nephews come and intern for him he let’s them know – what’s what! That they have to work hard, they’re are no handouts here. I follow Life of the Jet Setter which is Diggy Simmons blog and he’s talking about putting his own shoe out. I wish him well, because I think he’s aware of the fact that people will automatically say he got that because of his dad and while that in a sense could be true I believe he is committed to overturning that assumption. I can’t say that of Jojo Simmons though – I saw the kicks he put out with K1x.  Other’s like Aaron Reid, son of LA Reid is committed to making his own name and not relying on his fathers. He is heavily involved in the music industry co-signing artists, producing and putting them out there off his own back and through his own merit.

That’s what it should be down to – merit.

I’m not going to abuse the “connections” I have, I am going to maintain the reason why I got them in the first place – hard work!

That’s all that should be important.