MADE XXXX
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
F
rom time to time when “greats” like Prince and
Muhammad Ali pass on, I reflect on our generation’s leadership in the creative industries (film,
art, design, music and media) and wonder if
there are enough dynamic leaders left. There used to
be a time where there were a handful of influential people in our communities with massive supporters.
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As each icon passes, I tend to ask myself, “Where is the
next Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, Prince, etc.?”
The answer to this question is simple yet obvious: they’re
all around us.
We live in an era where we are empowered with social
media platforms and influenced by TV streaming services.
Today, it seems there are thousands of public speakers,
politicians, entertainers, activists and the like being heard
and seen across social media and the internet. Everyone is
an influencer.
Because of the ability to quickly share our voices, opinions
and talents with the world, I’d like to think that it’s what we
do with our :15, :30 or :60 seconds that count. Although in
this issue, we’ve featured 25 Creative Entrepreneurs who’ve
maximized their creativity and the platforms to share it, the
reality is that we all are strong forces of energy with abilities
unimaginable. We all have a voice and we all have an obligation to use it... properly.
Meturio expere volorpos
ipsaectiatet quaspid emporem porumquo.
Thousands of
candles can be
lighted from a
single candle,
and the life
of the single
candle will not
be shortened. Buddha
I’m excited about our Men’s Issue because it features someone who’s maximized his
voice on and off screen: DeVon Franklin. It hasn’t been an overnight success though.
The patience that he has practiced to prepare for his platform is why he has unequivocally captured the attention of millions from his new book, The Wait written with
his lovely wife, Meagan Good. It takes a leader to intentionally choose the road less
traveled. He has applied this principle of patience to his romantic and professional
relationships and we are seeing the rewards of what he’s sown. Read his story, you’d
love it.
The understanding of new leadership must be presented in order to adjust to today’s
landscape. As the Olympics approach in Rio, I’m reminded of the Olympic flame and
the passing of the torches. Where I used to think older generations should pass the
baton or light our torch to pass on leadership, I now believe that we should have the
confidence to carry our own torches and the responsibility to light someone else’s if
theirs is dim along the way.
On our individual creative journeys, let’s lead by carrying our torches and sharing the
light so all of our torches grow brighter.
Kris D. Williams
PUBLISHER
mademagazine.com
made-magazine.com
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