Driven: Craig Stokes

"You are only as great as your last accomplishment."- Craig Stokes

Craig Stokes is a CEO, Producer, TV Personality, Host, Designer, Stylist, Actor, and Leader. He is dedicated to showing people what can be achieved through his many talents. As CEO of Craig Stokes Productions, and creator and host of Style Minute, Craig continues to create a lifestyle for his viewers through his astonishing ability to connect with an audience while staying true to who he is and what he does. "I enjoy the process of having an idea and making that into a product".

As someone who describes himself as never falling into trends, his drive has allowed him to form a platform of successes in which he has provided apparel for organizations, Fortune 1000 companies, events, and universities. "I'm not one who is afraid to try it, but one to do it". Craig is renowned for his "MY VOTE COUNTS" clothing line, two additional shows under the well-known show Style Minute, and Style University or Style U, a lifestyle fashion-based tour for college age men that travels to colleges and universities around the country. (www.styleuniv.com)

Craig let us at UA know that he is just getting started! In addition to creating and designing apparel, Craig hosts events, fashion and award shows, and is a personal shopper and stylist.

Check out Craig's video bio!

"I'm a regular guy on a mission to do some really extraordinary things in my lifetime. I love people, entertaining, style, technology, being creative, and expanding my "vision" so that I can "see" further today than I did yesterday. Some call me a renaissance man - you can simply call me Craig."

 For more info on Craig Stokes visit www.craigstokes.com !!!

CHECK OUT THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW>>>>

Stylish/Driven: Tiffany Okafor

Tiffany Okafor, a multi-faceted entertainer from North Carolina is the epitome of self-expression. Tiffany has performed at several universities across the country, venues such as the world famous Apollo Theater, and furthermore has traveled the world granting the public with her unique style and presence through poetry, song, theater arts, and modeling.

We here at Urban Argyle had the chance to interview Tiffany and get some familiarity on some of Tiffany's projects, pieces, and views on what's important to her during the "grind" to accomplish her reality of success in the entertainment industry.

CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW>>>>>>>>

You can find Tiffany in her new home of Washington, D.C. where she hosts monthly at the well known establishment of Bus Boys & Poets and a variety of lounges and nightclubs throughout the DC area.

For more on Tiffany Okafor please visit:

http://tiffanyokafor.wordpress.com

and

http://reverbnation.com/tiffanyokafor

Driven: Life Ain’t No Crystal Stair

Langston Hughes' Mother to Son

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

This is one of the pieces I read when I need some motivation. For those times I just need to suck it up, shut up, and keep it moving. A reminder that there are many people who have achieved MORE than what I have achieved with MORE obstacles that I may have had. It also triggered a question in me: Do we perform better when we have more obstacles?

CONTINUE READING

Socially Conscious: The Dream Institute International

 

Philanthropist-someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being.

As an international consultant, speaker, trainer, and executive coach, Rachel Wilson is a young woman seeking to empower individuals and communities worldwide.

As the CEO and Founder of The Dream Institute International, Ltd. , Rachel has done just that. Ranging from a variety of services from Youth Leadership Development, Strategic Planning, International Services, Women's Empowerment and Social Enterprise, Rachel exhibits remarkable character through her extraordinary efforts and actions.

In recent events, The Dream Institute put on an inspiring conference named the "DreamGirl Conference", committed to providing young girls guidance in the areas of career choices, life skills, and goal setting.

"Every girl should have the opportunity to be empowered to live the life of her dreams. It's not about entertaining "fantasy". It's about cultivating her life's purpose and shaping it into a vision that can become a reality." - Rachel D. Wilson

We also had the chance to catch up with Rachel and talk to her about what's next for The Dream Institute. 

CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW

Check out the promo video!!! >>>>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSew7i4pqcs

For more information visit The Dream Institute on the Web at www.thedream-institute.com or email info@thedream-institute.com

To contact Rachel, please email: rdwilson@thedream-institute.com

To book a workshop or seminar for your business/organization email: bookings@thedream-institute.com

Also, check out Rachel's blog! www.thedream-institute.com/site/blog/ and on Twitter @DreamInstitute

Non-Conforming: The Problem with “Separate but Equal”

I am an employee at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. As a result of this, I experience a lot of things… especially long working hours. But on a more positive note, I am consistently surrounded by a rich legacy and history of people making whatever sacrifices were necessary to achieve the desired results. We're not going to get into the down sides of the job like people requesting tours of the Underground Railroad. I'll save that comedy for another post. But, I digress, let's get to the storyline of why I wrote this post *scene change*

I hadn't had a real day off in weeks, so I made a point to take the weekend off. For some reason I feel like completely changing atmospheres for a few days every now and then restores your mentally. So, I hopped a train, found a window seat, blasted some Badu in the headphones, and started adjusted my mindset to #VacationMode.

CONTINUE READING THIS POST

Driven: Darren Brand

"Laughter heals all." - Darren Brand

Darren Brand is known for his personality, passion, and distinct comedy style delivery.  For anyone who has come in contact Darren, it’s easily learned that his natural aura is just as authentic and original as his comedic delivery.  From the outside, it’s easy to assume that you have a general understanding of a person’s background and how they got to where they are.  The bad part about this is 9 times out of 10 we’re usually wrong.

Outside of being an outlet to thousands of people through his experience in event planning, motivational speaking, hosting, and comedy, Darren Brand has a story behind his successes.

As a native of Southern Pines, North Carolina, Darren has had occurrences within his life that could easily cause one to detour on a path of negativity or cause a lack in enthusiasm.  These two things are definitely not defined in Darren’s dictionary.

When asked what triggered the desire of his current successes, Brand had this to say.

“Being able to tell my story, coming up with a hard upbringing, and proving you can go to school and not quit. I use laughter to hide what I go through and it’s therapy so why not pass that along.”

CHECK OUT THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!!!

“Failure is not an option.” one of the quotes that Darren has used throughout his life has proven to be true as he continues on the ladder to success and pursues his dream of being a rising star.

Darren has performed shows in Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham North Carolina.

Check out the website! http://www.darrenbrand.com

For bookings, please email: noroommanagement@verizon.net

For some of Darren’s videos peep  http://www.youtube.com/DarrenBrandTV  and be sure to follow Darren on Twitter @darrenbrand.


CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTERVIEW

Non-Conforming: Trail of Dreams

"Thank you to all who have dared to believe in what many call our "insanity". – Trail of Dreams

Let's talk about dreams. Some people dream about hitting the lottery, some want to make it big in the entertainment industry, and others just want to live a normal life, a life of equality. We all know it takes action for our dreams to become a reality. 

Four students from Florida, Felipe Matos, Gaby Pacheco, Carlos Roa, and Juan Rodriguez have made it their mission to walk from Florida to Washington, D.C. to fend for the right of U.S. Citizenship. The walk is named the "Trail of Dreams". All four have had the opportunity to attend college, gain exceptional insight to what motivates them but will never have the chance to share that because of their not being a U.S. Citizen. ( http://www.trail2010.org/about/) .

I had the opportunity to spend a whole day with them when they came to Greensboro. They went on a tour of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum and were moved by how much the struggles of the civil rights movement paralleled their struggle. As an added bonus, I took them to the campus of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University to show them the statue and bullet holes in the wall.

These students are making moves! They are gaining a buzz amongst the media and making their presence known. Who knows, you may spot them and want to join the movement! Check out the route of the trail here (http://www.trail2010.org/route/)