I read an interesting article in TechCrunch last week about the Detroit Startup Renaissance and being a Detroiter it was exciting seeing my city mentioned. After reading the article I left feeling more challenged then excited. I was left with an empty feeling and this thought. Will Black Entrepreneurs be apart of the Detroit Startup Renaissance?

My question is not focused at any person or organization because this is a systemic issue that exists in the startup community nationwide. This blog post is not written to the key stakeholders (VCs, Angel Investors, etc.) but to the black entrepreneurship community, the same community that I am apart of! The reality is, if we don’t insert ourselves in the startup movement we will be left behind and it will be almost impossible to catch up. The numbers don’t lie, only 1% of VC (Venture Capital) backed startups are founded by black founders.

To provide some context of how important the startup space is to the economy let’s start with the earning potential of the average person. With a High School diploma a person can expect to earn $1.2M in their lifetime according to the national government. There are 20-somethings that are launching startups and raising a $1M dollars. Hey, don’t wait for the call because it isn’t coming! There are opportunities but we have to work hard for any shot at being apart of the startup movement. Let’s not be left behind!

For inspiration on the Tech Startup Movement for Black Entrepreneurs checkout CNN’s Black In America 4 on 11/13/11. Here is a link to the trailer.

Today Brand Camp Boston – Personal Branding 2.0 Conference on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 is announcing their workshop sessions. There are nine power packed 35-minute sessions that include the following topics: personal branding, corporate branding, legal, social media, marketing, entrepreneurship and startups.

Register at: http://bcuboston.eventbrite.com

• Disrupting the Business World with your Personal Brand - Hajj Flemings – Founder of Gokit
• How Self-Promotion Will Save The World - Peter Shankman – Founder of H.A.R.O.
• Inbound Personal Branding: Get yourself caught in a vortex of success -Laura “@Pistachio” Fitton Founder of OneForty (now HubSpot)
• Passion is Contagious - C.C. Chapman - Author of Content Rules
• Corporate Case Study: America Runs On Dunkin’ Donuts, DD Facebook Runs On You - Jessica Gioglio – PR/Social Media of Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.
• Identity and Work—Notions of Agency and Self-Fashioning - Linda Wells - Dean of General Studies at Boston University
• How to Redefine or Strengthen your Brand On & Offline via Social Media - Joselin Mane - Co-Founder of Boston Tweetup
• Startup Panel – Best Practices on Launching and Running a Startup - Lisa Van Der Pool and other panelist to be announced
• IP Mistakes from the Start-Up’s Perspective, and How to Avoid Them - Alexander Aber - Partner at Foley Hoag LLP

I attended the Phoenix Dinner at the 41^st Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Phoenix Award Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, September 24, 2011 and had the pleasure of meeting Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union. Based upon my experience, I wanted to provide some helpful tips on how to properly interrupt a celebritie’s dinner plans with style.

6-Steps for Stylist Interruption

1. Attend the Right Event: To connect with celebrities you have to attend the right high profile events. You then have to establish a strategy to survey the room to connect with celebrities they are not going to come to you. If possible do your homework prior to the event to identify people you want to connect with that will be attending the event. Most importantly, don’t try to meet everybody. The event I attended cost $750/ticket and it was the third time that I got up and walked around that I identified Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union (You must act swiftly!)

2. Walk with Confidence: If you noticed in the picture the security guard was giving me that look, like who is that guy? They key is walk with confidence past the security guards (Act like you own the place, but don’t come off arrogant) and have your one liner ready to address why you are connecting with the celebrity. I didn’t have to use my one liner but I was ready and I acted like I knew DWade even though he wouldn’t know me from Adam’s housedog. The key is you have to get through.

3. Be Camera Ready: Ideally you want to have a Smartphone with Internet capability that allows you to upload the photo in real-time. This allows you to share your celebrity moment with your online community. You can use a variety of photo sharing apps like Instagram or just upload the photo into Twitter or Facebook via a third party app. Worst-case use a digital camera in either case be ready to snap a photo quickly.

4. Work with a Tech Savvy Friend: Have a tech savvy friend (i.e. @WayneSutton ) to help, this is not a 1-person job you have to get in and get out. Using an innocent bystander who is a tech novice is a recipe for disaster they will jack your photo up. Remember you only have time for one photo.

5. Act with Brevity: Don’t tell them your life story (Remember: Nobody really cares about it but your mother.) Ask for the photo and leave them alone! (When I approach Dwayne and Gabrielle, I simply asked for a photo he didn’t care that I am the Brand Man, LOL!)

6. Apologize Digitally: Apologize digitally by posting a simple tweet about crashing their photo. This serves three purposes: (1) it communicates to them that you really appreciate their time, (2) it demonstrates that you are tech savvy, and (3) most importantly it creates social proof so either share on your Facebook wall or tweet (If they are on Twitter look up their Twitter handle to confirm that you have the right account.)

Note: Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union were extremely polite and cordial. I was probably the 100^th person to interrupt their dinner that evening. They were beyond nice and they didn’t have to be, but it was much appreciated.

Note (Dwyane if you read this post): If Gabby and you are in Detroit my wife and I would love to take you two out to dinner. I owe you one! Just DM me on Twitter at @HajjFlemings. If not thanks again for the photo.

Update: Pray that the celebrity retweets your post. I was very fortunate DWade was nice enough to RT my tweet.

Warning: Follow my tips at your own risk. It worked for me that is all I can say!!!!

The economy and digital technology is at the top of the agenda at the41st Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference (Sept. 21-24). With the growth of small businesses and the impact of social media, entrepreneurs look to fuel the economy. To address these hot points Congressman Hansen Clarkeof metro Detroit will host one of the most strategically important panels during the conference, “Social Media and Entrepreneurship” on September 23, 2011 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

I am excited about moderating Congressman Hansen Clarke’s panel.

Full Article: BlackEnterprise.com

Is your ‘Business In Demand? Can you mix Business and Faith? Are you looking for answers to these questions? If so and you are in the Kansas City, MO area checkout the 2011 Economic Empowerment Summit at Harvest International Church on September 16-17, 2011.

Conference Link: http://eeskc.com

Keynote Speakers

Pastor Dr. Steve Houpe (Conference Host), Bishop I.V. Hillard, and Hajj Flemings

Workshop Sessions

• Access to Capital: Financing Your Business
• Business 101
• Marketing for The Small Business
• Entrepreneurship
• Boys Grow Session with Youth Entrepreneurs

Location

Harvest International Church 4300 N. Corrington Avenue Kansas City, MO 64117

This is a free event! I look forward to seeing you there!

I am excited to be working with Peter Shankman to produce Brand Camp Boston.

Today we are announcing Brand Camp University next Brand Camp will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 4, 2011, and feature top speakers from around the country discussing branding, marketing, and how to grow the entrepreneur inside of all of us.

Brand Camp is a gathering of national thought leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals. This year’s conference theme is ‘Awaking your Inner PRENEUR: (Entrepreneurship + Intrapreneurship)’ and brings together the region’s best and brightest minds in new media, brand and business development to explore best practices across multiple industries.

Hosted by Foley Hoag, LLP, this event marks the first time Brand Camp comes to Boston. With featured speakers including:

• Hajj Flemings - CEO/Founder of Brand Camp University
• Peter Shankman - Founder of H.A.R.O.
• Laura Fitton - Founder of OneForty (now HubSpot)/Co-Author of Twitter for Dummies
• C.C. Chapman - Author of Content Rules/Founder of Digital Dads
• Linda Wells - Dean of General Studies at Boston University
• Joselin Mane - Co-Founder of Boston Tweetup
• Lisa Van Der Pool - Multimedia reporter at the Boston Business Journal
• Alexander J. Aber – Partner at Foley Hoag LLP

The day promises to be an educational, informative, and fun look at how to grow your personal and professional brands to increase your business, generate additional revenue, and build upon your image.

Tickets for the all-day event can be purchased online at http://bcuboston.eventbrite.com

Student Rate: $50

Early Bird Registration: $100 (Ends September 19, 2011)

Smartphone’s are changing the way college students order textbooks, purchase gas and experience the world. In a technology-driven society, these devices can be educational and lifestyle tools that use and share data in very cool ways. Mobile apps can help tech savvy students with data discovery that enhances their college experience inside and outside the classroom.

Read the Full Article on Black Enterprise

The CNN Black In America 4 trailer: Journey of a Start-Up is now online! Follow Soledad O’Brien’s documentary of 8-entrepreneurs in the NewMe Accelerator as they pursue their startup dreams in Silicon Valley which airs on CNN 11/13/11.

College seniors, let’s talk social media etiquette 101. You’ve worked hard to position yourself for a great position with the company of your dreams. You’ve gotten good grades, you have great internship experience and you’ve demonstrated great leadership on campus. All this can be undone in a few keystrokes if you’re not careful.

In today’s hi-tech world, potential employers use your social network profiles to validate your judgment and credibility as a candidate for jobs they’re posting. In essence, your social network profile acts as your new FICO score (how the financial industry evaluates how credit-worthy you are to potential lenders) in that it’s now being used to validate your character to potential employers.

Read the Full Article on Black Enterprise

Week #4 of the 92,000 Hour Challenge is here.

Everybody should have at least one side project that they work on regardless of whether they have a full-time job or not. Why is this important? First, I believe that everybody should work on things that keep them sharp. Secondly, you need to commit yourself to something that you have a passion for and in many cases this doesn’t happen between 9am-5pm.

Thought Starters

• Think about something that you have a passion for.
• Think about a project that is manageable for you to accomplish working on it in the evenings after you get off of work.
• Think about how you can crowdsource portions of your idea and use your network to help you increase the odds of completing your idea.

The purpose of the challenge is to get you out of your comfort zone and working on something that challenges you to use your whole brain (left and right)

Week #3 of the 92,000 Hour Challenge is here.

How To Join: Tweet you are joining the 92,000 Hour Challenge #92khrs. Also, request access to the Google Doc so that you can be added to the official list.

Third Weekly Topic: Create your Idea Job Description!

How many people go to a job everyday that they hate? Now is your opportunity to start the process to correct this. Create your idea job description and work environment. Think about this from the perspective of being your own boss. The purpose of this week’s topic is to get people to think about what they really want from a career perspective.

Thought Starters

• Think about how you are wired: Are you an Intrapreneur or an Entrepreneur?
• Think about the work environment that enables you to create your best work. Do you work better remotely? Or do you work better in a corporate environment?
• Think about the type of work you would like to do on a daily basis.

The purpose of the challenge is get you to think about your life work and what it will take for you to produce your best stuff!

Week #2 of the 92,000 Hour Challenge is here.

How To Join: Tweet you are joining the 92,000 Hour Challenge #92khrs. Also, request access to the Google Doc so that you can be added to the official list.

First Weekly Topic: I Have Skills (Identify your Skills)!

Create a list of what you wanted to be when you grew up! Identify the dreams you had when you were younger before grown-ups told you your dreams were not possible. Next, share your information in a blog post and in your Twitter stream. Tweet your ‘I Have Skills’ list and share how they are relevant. The purpose of this week’s topic is to get people to think about the skills they already have.

Thought Starters

• Think about skills you have employed in past or current career positions.
• Think about transferable skills: skills that are broader than just one field (i.e. excellent communicator)
• Think about marketable skill set categories: communications, marketing, planning, and management. (Here are a few to get you started!)

The purpose of the challenge is to help you to identify skills that you have used in past positions and to identify skills that are transferable to other positions. Look to identify skills that you would like to develop.

I am the CEO/Co-Founder of a new tech startup called Gokit, which launched at SXSW in March 2011.

Gokit was recently accepted into the New Me tech Accelerator, the first accelerator for minority led start-ups. During the summer of 2011 in Silicon Valley: 8 in-house visiting minority founded start-ups (5 selected 3 community voted) will participate in the program. Gokit is seeking funding to cover expenses not covered by the accelerator for Hajj Flemings. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated! Help us make history!

This is my first time ever making a request from my community to purchase or support anything financially. As you know I focus on providing valuable content! If you see value in supporting I want to thank you in advance.

Money Collected will only be spent on the following: Airfare to visit my family multiple times, car rental for the entire program, and Food. (A report documenting all expenses will be made public at the end of the program.)

Supporters can help by sharing this link: http://bit.ly/gokitfunding with their communities and Hashtag: #gokitme

Article in Wall Street Journal: New Me Accelerator Seeks to Boost Minority Entrepreneurs

Gokit Connect Information:

Website: http://gokit.me

Twitter: @gokitme

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/gokitme

Today we are launching the 92,000-hour personal branding challenge. For more details you can read the blog post challenge.

How To Join: Tweet you are joining the 92,000 Hour Challenge #92khrs. Also, request access to the Google Doc so that you can be added to the official list.

First Weekly Topic: When I Grow Up I Want to Be?

Create a list of what you wanted to be when you grew up! Identify the dreams you had when you were younger before grown-ups told you your dreams were not possible. Next, share your information in a blog post and in your Twitter stream. Tweet your ‘When I Grow Up, I want to be?’ dreams. The purpose of this week’s topic is to get people to think about what they dreamed of being.

Thought Starters

• Think about your hobby and interest as a child.
• Think about your childhood experiences and jobs.
• Think about dreams and desires you shared as a child.
• Ask your parents, siblings and friends about your interest as a child.

The purpose of the challenge is to help you learn more about yourself, package and position your personal brand and align your skills and passion with your life work. Remember, most of all, ‘Have Fun’!!!

Note: With your tweets be sure to include the hashtag: #92khrs

The 92,000-hour challenge is a personal branding exercise that was birthed at Brand Camp – NYC on Tuesday, May 24^th as a method to get people (Human Brands) to re-think our life work (or what we were designed to do.)

What’s the significances of 92,000 hours?

The average person lives 78 years in the United States, which translates, to 683,200 hours that a person will live. Many people are starting to eat healthy and working out so many individuals will live beyond the average life expectancy. The two biggest activities a person will engage in, in their life is sleeping and working.

If a person works from age 21 until age 65 and works 40-hours per week they will work 92,000 hours. The data shows us that the average person will work past age 65 and works more than 40-hours per week. So the number 92,000 hours really represents the minimum number of hours that a person will work in their life.

How the Challenge Works/Requirements

Here is how the 92,000-hour challenge works. For the next 30-days, starting June 1, 2011 we are going to work on fleshing out our life purpose by creating a bucket list.

• Identify an Accountability Partner: You must identify an accountability partner. Your accountability partner will help to keep you accountable to following through.

• Get Listed: Add your name to the 92,000-hour challenge Google Doc list. The purpose is to develop a community of people that will be catalyst who will help us better understand what we were designed to do (optional) - (Must Request Access to be included on the list)

• Use the Hashtag: Use the hashtag #92khrs when you share your content in Twitter so that we can track comments.

• Create Weekly Blog Post: Each week you are required to publish at least one blog post whether it is video or text and share it via Twitter with the hashtag #92khrs.
• Create a Bucket List: The output is to create a bucket list of things that you believe that you would like to spend your 92,000 hours doing.

Weekly Blog Post Topics

• Topic #1- When I Grow Up: Create a list of what you wanted to be when you grew up! Identify the dreams you had when you were younger before people grown ups told you your dreams were not possible.

• Topic #2- Skill Set: Identify your skill sets and create a skill set inventory (This is not a list of things that you do on your current job.)

• Topic #3- Idea Job Description: Create your idea job description and work environment. Think about this from the perspective of being your own boss.

• Topic #4- Side Project: Create a side project that you could work on to give you some real world experience doing what you dreamed off.

Launch Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011

End Date: Friday, July 1, 2011

Why are we doing this in a public domain? The reason is to make you and me more accountable. Making a public statement creates positive peer pressure and will help us stay committed to following through for the next 30-days of the challenge.

Please leave a comment if you plan on participating in the 92,000 hr personal branding challenge.

Add your name to the 92K Hours Challenge List in Google Docs: http://bit.ly/92khrs_list (Must Request Access by clicking the link)