Black Men. As I’m there, the producers pull me to the side again, saying how sharp I was, and asked if they could sit me up front. They took me to the back, showing me to everyone, and telling me what they wanted me to do. I was going to say a piece, but I didn’t. Once Harv came out, and was like “Damn, boy, you’re clean”. I don’t think he remembered having pointed me out prior to that moment at his mentoring program. They seated me next to Harv, and we briefly connected. The third time, I was able to get tickets to be in the audience. Again, because of how I was dressed, they asked me if I could be in the front row. As he’s talking to the audience, an older woman asked him why young men don’t court women anymore, and suggested he teach that. He ten asked her if she has asked a young man. The question then came to me because I was one of the only young men there. He asks me to stand up, ad begins to comment on how sharp I was. He called Will from the back, and from there, he started to fix my suit, mentioning how everything lines up on the left side. The dream comes to me, and during that moment, I began to remind him of the times we had connected. I began to realize this was deja vu. I’m literally worshipping and crying because of the dream. I think people thought I was crying because I met him, but it was really because of the dream. He grabs me by the back of my collar and gives me a hug. It probably was 7-10 second, but it felt like 10 minutes. He was just saying he understood the journey, and from that day forward, he was my mentor, and I was his
mentee. Ever since then, my life has been what is has been. I can see the vision coming about, and my vision is to help people. My goal is to create things, and give opportunities in every aspect. Whether white, black, gay straight, rich poor, I don’t care. I want it to be a sound-minded vision, like-minded art, and people of substance who can work together regardless of background. Regardless of surroundings or what you come from, you can be anything you want to be. I have no big school diploma, and no college degree. I’ve been able to jump out, and I have legacy living book and documentary. I’m not with Harv as often because of my schedule. I see the vision coming to life and the brand is coming about. He understands that jump. You have to jump and let your parachute open. When you understand the vision and know that God is the vessel to it, you can be anything you want.
U.G. Digital Mag: When you say that, it all rings true for me. You have to be willing to take that jump, like he said, and it’s so true. I’ve lived that completely, and have been able to come up from it. I walked form a job to launch this magazine. There’s so much restriction in writing for others, and yearning for certain opportunities, and I had reached a point where I felt like I had to create some things for myself. I needed to do some things on my own. I found that so much of my time was spent with that job, and I ultimately jumped. I do live the testimony that when you put in the work, it does come together and work out. I’m now on that end of the spectrum where it has finally worked out. Harvey has been inspirational to so many people like me. Your dream came to life with his help, but you’ve taken that opportunity to build some things even bigger. Your brand is going in a broader direction, and it’s good to be in that place.
inspirational to so many people like me. Your dream came to life with his help, but you’ve taken that opportunity to build some things even bigger. Your brand is going in a broader direction, and it’s good to be in that place.
Sam Sparks: One of the bigger things based on what you’re saying, and congratulations on your success and making that leap and having that faith because people today are scared to get in their gift because they worry about the things they need to live. The scariest thing for me was the jump away from Harv.
U.G. Digital Mag: Right. People get comfortable in that space, and they don’t necessarily want to have to work at rebuilding or put in the time that is needed. They’ve spent so much time getting to where they are, and they don’t want to have to do it again.
Sam Sparks: If was even so much the grind, it was just the fear. But on the other side of fear is everything you want. Everything bro! Once I jumped away from Harv, it was so much coming at me in regard to why I jumped. Everybody thought I got fired, but God just made sure I didn’t get comfortable. There was something so much bigger on the other side. Prior to that, I didn’t have that or the documentary.
U.G. Digital Mag: It makes perfect sense. The relationship has definitely catapulted you to such great success. Talk about your book.
Sam Sparks: I wrote legacy Living as far as teaching