10BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO MIAMI HERALD MONDAY , AUGUST 1 , 2016
ENTERPRISE
By Aisha M .
Anthony Randolph
Anthony Randolph is a renowned musician , producer , studio engineer , recording artist , entrepreneur and mentor . He has worked with many of the music industry ’ s top artists such as Missy Elliot ,
Anthony Randolph ’ s World of Music
Tweet , Monica , SWV , Carl Thomas , Jagged Edge , Queen Latifah , and Fabulous . Anthony is the founder of the World of Music Arts & Technology ( WOMAT ), a program for kids that teaches the fusion of music & technology , production & arts and engineering & app creation .
Anthony grew up in what was then called Carol City , now known as Miami Gardens . Anthony began as a self-taught pianist and by age 13 , his parents enrolled him into the Zamar School of Performing Arts where he became an accomplished pianist studying classical and jazz composition . He graduated with a degree in Music Engineering and Music Business at Full Sail University , a leading university for entertainment , media and the arts located in Orlando .
Known for his studio work as a producer , musician , song writer and studio engineer , Anthony has worked with some the top mainstream artists in R & B and Hip Hop . He first began doing session work for artists in the studio and collaborated on production and studio session work with ,
Grammy-nominated producers Cainon Lamb and Streetrunner .
In recent years , Anthony felt compelled to formally mentor kids and give back to the community he grew up in . Anthony recalls mentoring a young teen in his neighborhood , who was interested in the music industry , shot due to gun violence , but luckily survived . “ It made me think about how selfish I had been over the years and made me realize there was a greater calling and responsibility which is mentoring and giving back . I started thinking about what kind of legacy I ’ m leaving behind and what i ’ m doing to help progress the next generation ” notes Anthony . Many kids want to be rappers or recording artists . However , Anthony wants to show them the business and technology side of the music business , which has afforded him so many opportunities in his career .
This inspired Anthony to form World of Music Arts & Technology ( WOMAT ). WOMAT has developed a music education curriculum and pop-up camps serving students from
FIGHTING THE BRAIN DRAIN
Young Black Professionals ’ Guide to South Florida , Part I
By Kenasha Paul
By Kenasha Paul , J . D ., Founder and Chair of the Black Professionals Summit
For years , there has been this catchphrase “ brain drain ” thrown around , which is this theory that intellectually talented and trained individuals are leaving their hometowns for greener grasses and bluer beaches to seek bigger pay . Even if it was possible to find nicer beaches in the United States than in South Florida , research shows that it is not just a theory but fact . There is a high concentration of individuals , ages 25-34 years-old , leaving South Florida for larger markets such as New York , Los Angeles and for many young black professionals ( YBPs ) – Atlanta . Oh Atlanta , somehow you became the city to save all of black people ’ s problems . However , all these cities , especially Atlanta , I think want to tell people – “ turn around , we are at capacity .”
We all can ’ t realistically leave ( nor should we ), so for whatever reason or another South Florida is known as home . And honestly we shouldn ’ t want to leave , every city has its issues . However , South Florida issues should be seen as opportunities , and if you are a YBP , you really should see this developing city as a chance to stand apart and make your impact . Here are a couple tips on how to do just that :
See diversity as a leveraging tool
South Florida is typically depicted as a very diverse region but from a Latin perspective . However , we can make this work to our advantage . Look at the different cultures and ask yourself what any great entrepreneur would ask , “ What problem exists in these groups that I can fix ?” The different cultures we interact with indirectly or directly can lend itself to great insight to launch the next great business venture or solution to a community problem . I can ’ t stress this enough , as black people , we really don ’ t have to limit ourselves to businesses that only cater to the black market . A black-owned business ' s only requirement is that it be black owned . Nothing less , nothing more . Pollo Tropical was founded by two Jewish brothers , Larry and Stuart Harris . However , don ’ t tell anyone ’ s Abuela that . Those men saw that Miami was introducing a growing Latin-Caribbean market and people were going to need food that tasted like home , but faster . Now , there is a Pollo Tropical in almost every major city and few would have guessed the owners were not Latin .
Learn how to build relationships – not network
South Florida is not as well known as D . C . for their networking events Networking happy hours here are still a developing trend . When people do attend , some see the events as taking part in fake deep various schools , after-schools and summer programs . WOMAT partnered with Black Tech Week this year and held its first music arts technology conference at the Miami Dade Idea Center . The conference featured speakers such as Record Executive Ted Lucas of Slip N Slide Records , and Mike Butler DJ / Entrepreneur of Silent Revolution . Anthony received a Proclamation awarded by the Miami Dade School Board for the impact of WOMAT and his phenomenal community service .
Anthony currently has an album and the urban inspirational single entitled “ I will Run ”, which has received a lot of radio airplay . The album , which was independently produced and distributed , was inspired by many of Anthony ’ s family members who have survived or passed away from cancer .
For more information on Anthony and WOMAT log on to www . arandolphworldofmusic . com or email him at a . randolphworldofmusic @ gmail . com
conversations which isn ’ t appealing . But there lies the problem ; networking is more than doing an awkward exchange of business cards . Successful businesses are built on organic conversations and building trust . Often times YBPs do networking like it ' s a transaction ; pitch at the event and spend 10-15 minutes talking about the idea and hope to seal the deal there . Wrong move . Your idea is great to YOU , however , what makes people decide to work together ? Not the idea but the person . Spend time telling your story and taking a meaningful interest in theirs . Follow-up to discuss the idea later . Don ’ t just “ Netflix and Chill ” it , this is going to be a long-term commitment with ups and downs . You need to know who you are working with ! These are just some tips on how to navigate through South Florida as a YBP and maximize your experiences here . Stay tuned for more in Part II .
Kenasha Paul , J . D ., is Founder and Chair of the Black Professionals Summit . Learn more about her at www . linkedin . com / in / kenasha Facebook , Instagram , Twitter : @ Kenasha