Get Your Own Voice Player ManageWRITER, EDITOR, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, PUBLICIST, MARKETER, EVENT PLANNER, LIFE COACH, MULTI-MEDIA PRODUCER... (man of many God-given talents and gifts)I am a lifelong learner and entrepreneur. In the mid-80’s, I began sketching on moving canvases (subways, buses, etc.) throughout my native NYC under the moniker “Ciner 68†just to 'get a rep.' Yep, I was a vandal and proudly defaced public property just to see my name (tag) ring bells. In the late 80’s, I graduated to aerosol galleries (handball courts and bodega exteriors) creating bereavement memorials and community-conscious, socio-politically-oriented displays after founding “The Insomniacs.†By the start of the 90’s, my street-influenced creative artistry became wearable apparel emblazoning t-shirts, denim couture and athletic wear of many popular "urban" brands. Since I’ve always been a cutting edge creator with a streetwise, grassroots aesthetic that reflects the cultural lifestyle of my surroundings (I'm from B.K. baby), I launched “Insomnia Entertainment,†with the catchphrase slogan, "Don't sleep on Brooklyn," bringing together the worlds of Fashion, Art, Music and Entertainment - seeking the elusive whore FAME. I took that Debbie Allen FAME speech, "You want fame? Well, right here is where you start paying...in sweat," very seriously (smile). In fact, when I went to launch my first magazine venture it was called FAME (later rechristened "PartyZone: the magazine" now "PartyZone: the bi-weekly newspaper"), and of course some haters threw salt in the game, but that's another story, I'm getting ahead of myself...
Today, that same ‘graffiti bridge’ that led to my many entrepreneurial-driven successes has granted me 'all-access' V.I.P. status to corporate ‘bombing’ (in the advertising and experiential marketing arenas) campaigns and I helm a creative services collective called, ITL Partners | FFLG. We’re a branding consultancy for hip-set labels and pacesetters in the local-to-global marketplace. Where ITL/FFLG leads, others eventually follow. My peops and I are serious about this cross media game from producing print campaigns to filmed and recorded media projects, we're about ours. I often say, "From the corporate suites to the streets, we work behind-the-shine to get our client/partners the attention they deserve." Our niche is pushing beyond the creative boundaries of ‘been there, done that’ solutions usually offered by over-priced, 'out-of-touch' Madison Avenue Goliaths (agencies).
Make no mistake about it what I’ve done is very impressive…but not nearly as noteworthy of what I’m now capable of doing...THEN GOD INVENTED...THE REMIX (G-MIX),
In the midst of my becoming "Mr. All Eyes of Me" one day, a quiet voice (the Holy Spirt, who I affectionately call my Dude) spoke to my spirit and told me that He was about to fix and remix me. I didn't think I was broken. I was on my way to the top of the multi-media game (working with promising start ups and global Fortune 1000 brands), I was a social celebrity (throwing parties 'from Cancun to Grant's Tomb'), I had all the creature comforts (dated intelligent, successful and beautiful women), I took spur-of-the-moment jet-set vacations (and got paid for it, imagine that), I had the nice brownstone apartment... Nah, not me. I told my Dude, "Yo, go ahead with that. I'm aiight." Like the Prophet Jonah, I ran in the other direction 120 mph. But my Father had a B.I.G. plan and a greater purpose that my legs could not escape. And don't think I didn't keep trying. I did. I failed. And like a patient, unconditional loving Father one day His wait ended, the 'prodigal son' came home. No, it hasn't been an easy journey. Now, that I'm 'Down with the King of kings' I rep the Kingdom to the fullest in all things. It makes some people uncomfortable, but I realize that's my Dude (the Holy Spirit) convicting them, because if I can change...they can too. But most people would rather make excuses, than changes. So, all you 'prayer haters' can continue to grumble and faultfind (Jude 16), but I'm going to still be about my Father's business. So deal with it, I'm just getting started...
“If not me, who?†This is my personal mission statement for my life’s purpose (ministry). Each of us has a personal and corporate ministry to fulfill while we're receiving the grace of God each day. I realized one day while listening to one of my favorite songs “Change Gonna Come†that change begins with me, because those around me are simply too lazy or comfortable to change. Yahweh, the one Lord God Almighty, has gifted me with the ability to connect with and influence people making a meaningful impact in their everyday lives. I am blessed to be involved with outreach initiatives to young people in distress (gangs, etc.). Father has given me a vision StreetCornerMinistries.org ( ( ( s C m ) ) ) to meet everyday people at the intersections of their lives. I am humbled to be an instrument of change for my Father; therefore I will remain steadfast in my resolve to be a valiant man of integrity, fortitude, honor and respect. If you’ve been where I’ve been and overcome what I’ve overcame, you’d know exactly why my Father’s praises are continuously in my mouth. Yes, I know your ‘god’ maybe ‘good’, but you need to recognize my God is great! I no longer desire to be worldly popular, my mission is to be Kingdom purposeful. I trust my Father will take care of the rest, in His time, not mines.