NOT AN IDEA: AN INITIATIVE - EARL HARVEY
Today we highlight Earl Harvey: More than an Idea: An Initiative
Earl Harvey – I’m going to start this one off up beat. Smiles and highlights. No dragging story should be in connection with this great Black entrepreneur. First let me say welcome to the Marker’s Sketch Show powered by Maryam’s Mark – a monthly show sharing highlights & news-jack worthy creative content using the art of storytelling – one sketch at a time!
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Let me share how I was initially introduced to Earl Harvey – which happened in multiple ways. First sharing my eternal love for news and media. Growing up I was the kid who asked all the questions, family members would say “what is Maryam doing, writing a book or something – she’s always asking so many questions!” I watched the news a lot and read and read and would write and obviously sketch. In school I’d write creative stories and would win those “creative writing” contests, showing my grandmother mostly because I saw her as someone interested enough – didn’t complain about my inquiries. She’d tell those family members “yes, Maryam is writing a book, go damn it so answer her!” I’d chuckle. While in high school I joined the High school Newspaper committee, wrote articles that soon ended in the local newspapers published by Bartash Printing Incorporations. I couldn’t be more proud of myself. I even won a journalism scholarship but I turned it down. I decided to take another route, graphic design – learning how to design publications digitally. It was 1999 – I was in my last year of high school and I already have my own home computer – 1999, the same year Earl Harvey began publishing “The Black Professional News.” I remember seeing the “BPN” for the first time on one of my teachers’ desks, then again at my dad’s store. I was so excited, reading the stories of entrepreneurs, not just any entrepreneurs but ones like my parents, people of color or as my father would say the “Indigenous.” The Black Professional Newspaper was powerful for “indigenous” business owner. It was the fuel needed to keep engines going, helping with exposure, sharing messaging and business details on paper – specifically for the “indigenous” man and woman! A modern day “Freedom’s Journal!” I thought to myself I only know how to create a newsletter using Microsoft Word, I have to learn how to make an actual big newspaper! I remember wanting to meet Mr. Harvey and just shake his hand hectically like a crazed fan! I recall discussing with our senior editor that our stories could be published in the BPN but it was sought as unlikely due to only covering high school news and sports – nothing business related. SOOO Disappointed! I didn’t press the issue but I often wish I had, pitching a column for teen sports and student-ran clubs. I obviously didn’t pitch a thing. I continued writing for my high school newspaper while enjoying BPN from afar.
Honestly Earl Harvey’s Black Professional News always made me think about the “The Muhammad Speaks” newspaper, created by Malcolm X, spread the teachings of the the Nation of Islam. The Muhammad Speaks newspaper covered food, health, education, business and the NOI’s religious messages. One of the key messages of the Nation of Islam was to have “economic self-sufficiency.” Know for self – do for self – self-reliance; Black empowerment. The teachings of Fard and Elijah Muhammad slowly fiddled away in the mid-70s early 80s with Elijah Muhammad’s son became the successor of the Nation of Islam, creating a split in believe, directing members to Sunni Islamic practices and ending many of the NOI’s then programs.
I offer this part of history because of the similarities, not from a religious standpoint but viewed as movement. If you haven’t yet – view The Black Professional Newspaper, TV and network as a movement! Something large enough to direct and resurrect a people to ensure economic worth. Harvey noticed what was missing, and filled the gap – specifically for African Americans who owned businesses. The brother had a mission and sought out to make it true. Noting himself as having the “gift of gab” as one of the reasons the media was his selection for success. Harvey told FrontRunnerNewJersy.com in a Q & A during October 2020, weeks before his passing “I saw that businesspeople, particularly businesses of color, were largely ignored. I know access to information is critical to business owners for success so I created that space by publishing The Black Professionals News, a free community newspaper for professional service providers, nonprofits, and business owners.”
Can you say “black empowerment?” Cup runneth over, right!
I really believe the Almighty sends us people, leaders, to do His work. Fard and Elijah Muhammad were doing some really needed work during their years with the NOI. And I do believe Earl Harvey used his career as a journalist and media to do His work. I hope I’m not confusing anyone – not to my
knowledge was Earl Harvey affiliated with the Nation of Islam or the Muhammad Speaks paper. I’m using the NOI and Muhammad Speaks as a comparison, aligning you all to something so triumphant, both focused on the greatness and growth of African Americans. Progressive. Economic stability for people of color.
Now I’m sure you’re wondering, well Maryam did you get to meet Earl? Duh… Of course I did. A few times. The first time I met him, at an entrepreneurial mixer event. I stared like “oh my gosh, that’s Mr. Harvey.” I boldly walked over shook his hand and said “thank you for everything you’re doing in the “indigenous” journalism community!” Harvey giggled and calmly said “you’re welcome.” He asked my name, what I do. Then still a college student, I explained I worked for the federal government in their computer operations department and I’m pursuing my Bachelors degree in graphic design. He said to keep at it and that he’d send me his newspaper via email. I shook his hand again, so excited I thought he rattled like a baby’s toy. Of course Harvey sent his electronic newspaper to my email. I used “hotmail” at that time. I stalked my email waiting to hear from him. I couldn’t wait to meet Harvey again, really tell him about my time as a high school journalist and my idea to write about teens. The next time I saw Harvey was years later, The Connector came to my birthday happy-hour and asked once I’m done if I wanted to head to Earl Harvey’s birthday party at the Bourse. I might have ended my own shindig right that moment! Let’s get going, only a few blocks from each other, too. My friends and I headed over to the Bourse. When introduced by The Connector, asking something like “Earl do you know Maryam Muhammad?” I couldn’t believe my ears when he said “I’ve heard of her!” I was floored, “hear of me? What!” At that time Maryam’s Mark and Co, LLC was only a year or so in business but I had been freelancing and dabbling in real estate for some time but I didn’t think I attracted Earl Harvey. Yes we met some ten years before but I didn’t think I was memorable at all so to hear “I heard of her,” was the sentence of success for my self-esteem. I said to myself “whooo whooo, I am “heard of!” Two snaps and a twist. Still so excited I didn’t share my history – I actually never have.
As time progressed I’ve attended many events hosted by Harvey, and we’ve even promoted and supported some of the same events, using different platforms. Over the last few years, I’ve offered additional exposure to Harvey’s business related events and/or meetings on my platform, Black & Melanin Film Group Meetup page, giving “access to information” to a niche audience.
Earl said in his Q&A interview emailed to reporter Clyde Hughes “the future of mass media is quite exciting; we are in an age of 24 hour news and entertainment cycles so it’s never a dull moment. I do work with other community based newspapers throughout the region,, we reach the same audience and we all try to support each other.
Although I haven’t been viewing “The Marker” as a newspaper, I do view getting community based news in front of individuals, working together to support each other. I am honored to have the chance to be a support, even if only atom small, to Earl Harvey’s mission to share access to information of business owners, on his behalf.
On Monday October 12, 2020, Earl Harvey, 65, died of a heart attack in Atlantic City, NJ according to a statement from the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists.
In December 2021 I attended the Earl D. Harvey Celebration of Life and Black Business Advocacy Event at the African American Art museum in Philadelphia, which was a wonderful event. After John Childress shared an email saying “There is much work to be done. We must continue and build upon Earl’s work.” And of course I agree! I was recently notified booking has already been made for an Earl Harvey Tribute event for 2022. Please mark your calendars for Saturday December 3, 2022 and keep your eyes open for more ticket details.
Look dad, I’m smudging with my fingers the way you have in your artworks! Anyways, I really hope you enjoyed my tribute sketch, giving it a bit more than my usual line art – going in and being more intentional with my shading.
The Magic of meetup: David simons
Let’s do this over. Don’t image a thing. Let’s just go visit the dear uncle, who invites you to help out at his bar and restaurant, just for a bit while you wait for law school to start. No harm in that… you have the free time. And what fun can be had with free time running a bar, right. Things at Uncle’s Bar is going better than before under your management. And it really feels good, great even. Do you let go all the growth you’ve been able to make for your family’s business operations to go hit the books? I mean, if you don’t follow Father’s foot steps, following your Uncle’s is just a great! And so it is… taking that next leap of faith, the Simons brothers decided to emerge in the business of hospitality – opening their own bar & restaurant – first stop – reopening the Khyber Pass. From what I hear, the Khyber made it’s success by adding a stage to bands who wanted to play more than a silly Friday, which wasn’t available back them At the Khyber there was opportunity to showcase your talent – on those other six days! HELLO my friend! Sold! What a success just with that What a win. Now, the team had some real big experiences go from their Uncle’s bar, in to their own, organizing stage performers. The pair had a niche that was thriving….what do you do with that? You grow it! Grow it at the TROC, which was acquired after changing of hands a few times. I mean the Philadelphia’s Trocadero Theatre — part of the city’s entertainment skyline since 1870. The Troc had been around way before the Simons brother and their Uncle, to be for real. Acquiring a concert hall isn’t anything to shy over or even dumb down – that’s fucking big – excuse my “french.” But like WOW! To hear Dave share stories from his time managing the Troc, is a story or a book within it’s self. Managing talent, book keeping, guest,
food, beverages, promotions, staff, and the list goes on – wasn’t really what Dave discussed. Dave shares the fun side of his experiences. Funny moments, people experiences – jokes, laughing while sharing key details. And that “you just had to be there” feeling overcomes you. That right there is the magic.
Check out this photograph of David Simons from his trip overseas during 2019, with his lovely wife, Helena. Did I capture the essence of Dave?
NFL's GOOD TROUBLE: COLIN KAEPERNICK
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” Kaepernick stated After the third protest on August 26, 2016. Here we are in 2021, years after the protest had been recognized by the press and now Kaepernick is sharing his story in another way – on the Netflix platform. The hit Netflix series “Colin, in Black and White,” debuted on October 29, 2021. The series came with some mixed reviews, as expected with the topic being on race which is commonly viewed as a “controversial” topic. I, actually, enjoyed the series “Colin, in Black and White.” As a bi-racial individual some of the statements said to Colin, I’ve been told as well, so I “get it,” and can relate. Lite SPOILER ALERT: There’s one scene which discusses hair texture – the young lady who is braiding teen Colin’s hair made a reference stating his hair texture is “funny” or something of the sort, as her reason why she didn’t do his hairstyle properly. I’ve been told the exact same statement, more or less. The comment was made to me around this pandemic so if I’m still hearing this, there is a world of mixed chicks and mixed men, being told the same crazy slogan. Beyond connecting through hair, I wondered more on Colin’s stats – will he play any time soon. Then I saw a review which really gave insight on Colin’s career stats. I said wow. Let me lay out the story – sketch show style.
Colin Kaepernick and former 49ers safety Eric Reid — who joined Kaepernick in kneeling or taking the knee back during — filed grievances against the league, claiming their protests had resulted in owners denying them both work on the football field. Reid’s contract with San Francisco expired after the 2017 season, but he eventually found work with the Panthers, signing late in September of 2018, initially a one year deal which turned into a 3 year contract. Somehow the contract was cut short from the three year deal – what is in this “agreement?” On March 18, 2020, Reid was released by the Panthers. Reid was offered an opportunity to reunite with the Washington Redskins. But During October 2020, E. Reid declined an offer to sign for the Washington Football Team ‘s. From my research, it looks like E. Reid is a free agent, currently not playing as a safety anywhere in the NFL. If I’m wrong, leave details in the comment section. Let me know if Eric Reid has been playing this 2021 and leave his stats for me.
In comparison to Eric Reid, who since 2016 has played with two teams, along with turning down a position, Kaepernick has remained unemployed – with no offers on the table.
Kaepernick and Reid both have reached confidential settlements with the league and both dropped their grievances but only one has been given the chance to play. Reid declined his offer, so in my view Reid could be working today.
But what happened with Colin? Is he deemed the poster boy for the NFL’s Good Trouble? From what I’ve read, the league offered for reps the league to come from each team to see Colin do his thing but 30 minutes prior, Colin altered the plan. Requiring those participating reps to come to a different location. I’m all for the mantra “if you don’t like the terms, make your own” but I think giving more time than 30 minutes is more professional. Could you imagine plans changing in 30 minutes – if you’re really into your professionalism – you’re almost to the agreed location. Needless to say, only around 7-9 reps came to the new location. One source expressed that Colin has his same fast arm, and he sees no reason why Colin shouldn’t be on the field. Either way, from 2017 through now, walking into 2022, Colin still has no “home team.” But what does Colin have instead? During 2020, the flood gates open to recognizing how horrible systemic racism, and police brutality had been from the widely broadcast of the George Floyd killing. From this the NFL has committed to pledging $250 Million to combat systemic racism and historic injustices faced by black people, while also showing a willingness to work directly with Kaepernick on tackling those issues.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, apologized for not accepting the complaints of NFL players in the past, in a video, which left many stunned. Goodell encourages teammates to speak-out. The $250 Million will be used over a 10 year span consonstrating on the league working with players to identify and work with programs that address criminal justice reform, police reform and economic and educational advancement for African Americans.
Social justice grants from the NFL have been provide to Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, the National Urban League, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the United Negro College Fund.
#footballseason #footballplayer #footballgame #nike #netflix #goodtrouble #football #soccer #nfl #sports #futbol #fifa #sport #messi #premierleague #championsleague
POLICE SHOOTING STATS:
Reading the Washington Post I’ve found the following details, which is shocking – I’ll be quoting some details from the Washington Post’s Police Shooting Database article.
“In 2015, The Washington Post began to log every fatal shooting by an on-duty police officer in the United States. In that time there have been more than 5,000 such shootings recorded by The Post.
This is because reporting by police departments is voluntary and many departments fail to do so.
States with the highest rates of shootings are New Mexico, Alaska and Oklahoma.
Most victims are male.
In fatal shootings by police, 1 in 5 officers’ names go undisclosed
Despite the unpredictable events that lead to fatal shootings, police nationwide have shot and killed almost the same number of people annually — nearly 1,000 — since The Post began its project. Probability theory may offer an explanation.”
– The Washington Post
DAM, It's Over - For Now...
As we embark on our 8th year in business, I celebrate you. The many of you have cheered my company on, some loudly, some in passing, some in writing and some in whispers. Either way, without your cheers, hoorays and praise – what would Maryam’s Mark & Co, LLC be today. Many business owners have been told “no, don’t do it,” “why you want to do that?” “ain’t no money in that!” “watch, that’s not going to work!,” “haha, you want a business, who do you think you are?,” “you still want to do that business? Girl/boy stop – please, go get a job!” The most interested thing of all of these comments were those many jobs began as someone’s dream idea, someone’s vision, someone’s business that grew so well, we have conditioned ourselves that a job isn’t a business. It’s a job! In our view, a business is a job offered, created and built. It’s not this slogan candidly stated “JOB = Just of Broke.” That’s nonsense, and I apologize if you’re offended because that isn’t my intention. Let’s change our mantra to something spectacular, professional, positive. Throw away slogan “just over broke” today. Replace it with JOB equates to Just Opening Business(es)! Over the last eight years I’ve felt as if I’ve stated to just open business.
Every day is a new opportunity to challenge our yesterday’s goals, our yesterday’s revenue, our yesterday’s content, creations, etc in order to ensure brighter tomorrows. At Maryam’s Mark, each year we challenge our achievements so we can exceed our own and our customers’ expectations. We want to “beat” us. We need to out do last years numbers, just as any organization would, because we are “just opening business” with our goal to stay open for your business. We hope to continue working within the B2B sector, while growing our fine arts on canvas and clothe products. I am excited
to have embarked on an eight year in business, growing from freelance into a corporation isn’t easy – we have our challenging days – trust. But what it is and will continue to be is satisfying, exciting and it’s simply enjoyable.
For six out of eight years we have held our Annual Digital Arts and Media (DAM) Showcase in collaboration with CFEVA’s Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. On Sunday, October 24, 2021 between 12 – 6 pm est, many guest were welcomed to view our work, discuss our artistic and marketing process over light refreshments at the Queen Memorial Work Studios in South Philadelphia. We are exultant to have several guest and family members attend our In-Person exhibit. Maryam’s Mark and Co, LLC offers thank you to everyone who attended our exhibit, as well as everyone who has been continuously supporting our growing digital marketing and arts organization.
View Our Work
2021 Customer Websites
http://paama.us/
https://perfectchoicehomecare.com/
http://perfectfotoinc.com/
http://peacebuild360.com/
https://www.thephillypix.com/
Customer Email Marketing Campaigns:
New Cub E-Sports 1 https://conta.cc/2XQJRoh
New Cub E-Sports 2 & More https://conta.cc/3DKFKL1
G2E Vegas & Cub E-Sports 3 https://conta.cc/3zM6p6R
Need Email Marketing?
Sign Up: https://bit.ly/email-plans-mmark
Services:
Website Design, Email Marketing & Management, Graphic Design ie; Publication Design
Maryam’s Mark and Company: creative forever…
Maryam’s Mark & Co technologist are working diligently to edit the taping of the “Staying Pencil Sharp April 2021 Art Showcase.” Isa, William and I thank you for your patience and continued support as we gear to upload the April virtual show taping soon.
Watch some of Part 1 and Part 2 on our Facebook Page. Like and Follow
TUNE IN TO prior MM&CO SKETCH SHOWs
gRACIOUS GRATITUDE FOR YOUR COMPANY
Thankful…
I search for words to express, Give thanks…
I search for sentiment
Give gratitude…
I look for appreciation
Give admiration…
I turn for offering
Accept assistance.
I look no more.
Search unnecessary.
Found without seek,
No need to reach,
Handed graciously to thee and it has not been easy however there is plenty of ease.
I look forward,
I move up steadily,
I return appreciative.
I look forward,
I move slowly…
No need to rush little ‘ole me,
Many opportunities ready for us all to see…
Creating together, you, us, we,
Magnificently.
I search for the words to express but my artistic and marketing talents speaks to you in place of the voice you want to hear from me…
I give thanks
Gracious Gratitude for all your company
For your bravery to create and attend show after show with the low voiced arts marketing engine who’s talent only egos so damn loudly…
I look no more, just forward.
We move up together… steadily
Together, come along this pencil sharp technical journey with me, continuously!
Thankful for attendance at the Stay the Pencil Art Showcase with Maryam’s Mark and Company LLC.
Author: Maryam Muhammad
Maryam’s Mark & Co is working diligently to edit the taping of the Staying Pencil Sharp April 2021 Art Showcase. Isa and I thank you for your patience and continued support as we gear to upload the show soon. Watch some of Part 1 on our Facebook Page.
Enjoy Fine Artistry
MORE ART PIECES LOADING...
