 How important are the Arts to the community?
The arts are not just important, they are vital. The way vessels move blood through the body, art moves culture through the community. And by that I mean the Global community. Art is the worlds most valuable commodity. It determines the way people eat, talk, dress, think and live,and its not finite like other commodities. This art of ours, Hip Hop is a phenomenon that has captivated the world in a way no other culture has. It is more than rap, it is an industry of innovation from the poorest neighborhoods and has created billionaires. Entire infrastructures that employee thousands of people. It is impossible to quantify the impact of hip hop, and I and my poetry full underneath the umbrella of it, I'd argue to say its the most important ingredient in my art, my person. Hence why I started my Non-Profit, Manifest Destiny to bring the Arts to underserved communities. Our literal tag line is 'Art Moves the City". What makes a performance GOOD? Sincerity. No performance is good without being heartfelt. I've performed the same poem in different moods, and they are received very differently. If your heart's not in the performance, I highly suggest you leave it alone. However, if you mean what you say and are ready to leave it all on the stage there will be an undeniable exchange of energy.
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 What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
I remember selling all my toys at 8 years old so that I could purchase a lawnmower from the local pawnshop to start a landscaping business. I hired all my friends to work for me and paid them every Friday after school. I’d iron the cash so that it was nice and crisp, and I’d put it in white envelopes and hand them out like a real payday. Thinking back its pretty funny but it goes to show I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve always been a go getter. Tell us about your company and products. Beard Daddy LLC is a rising male cosmetics brand specializing in exclusive all natural beard grooming products. We nurture healthy beards while building confidence with the use of aromatherapy. In such a competitive industry, what makes your products different from others? The Beard Daddy Collection combines functionality, efficacy and aromatic artistry to create a line of sensory inducing beard oils designed to penetrate each follicle. Our blend of vitamin and nutrient rich oils are infused with aromatic accords designed and crafted by a certified artisanal and aromatherapeutic perfumiest.  Who is Billy outside of your bio?
I am fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, and excited. Sometimes to a benefit and sometimes to a detriment, I haven’t quite figured out how to be anything other than myself. On a scale of one to ten, I am more often on ten than I am on one in any given situation. I am a believer in Jesus, which is the basis of my decision making and life view. I do my best to bring kindness and light to every room and every situation because there is seldom enough of it, and it is tough to have to have too much of it. I am a classically trained musician, but my Spotify library could be playing at any given time Vivaldi, Beyonce, Diplo, Elevation Worship, Jill Scott, Evanescence, or Lenny Kravitz just to name a few. I am a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, and a friend. I have fun cooking, and even more fun eating, but I do not like doing the dishes after. I have an addiction to white cake and cupcakes with buttercream icing because it tastes like happiness and celebration. I am a true technophile, in love with all types of technology especially new things. I enjoy I believe in glass half full not half empty, tea over coffee, cold weather is better than hot weather, the opposite of fire is no fire (not water), and that water isn’t wet. I am always up for scintillating conversation and stimulating debate on just about any topic. I believe there is beauty in everything and purpose in everything.  "You are the source of my strength. You are the strength of my life." These lyrics created a robust refrain around the majestic Meyerson Symphony Center Wednesday night. The 200-voice Project Unity choir began the reverent stanza as they'd done in previous songs throughout the night. Soon the 1000-plus patrons of all faiths, races, and orientations joined in the anthem to create an angelic choir reminiscent of the heavenly host. It was at that moment Project Unity's mission that night was accomplished: Together We Sing.
St. Luke United Methodist Church Pastor, Richie Butler, created a cadre of religious leaders, city officials, and community members of all races to focus on what unites us as a people instead of what divides us. This birthed the "Together We…" movement under the umbrella of Project Unity. Project Unity has been leading efforts to unify Dallas by implementing a themed "Together We" program that addresses the country's efforts to build and sustain community, provide a forum for safe conversations on race relations and improve relations with law enforcement. The organization's annual "Together We Sing" concert is the organization's pinnacle event. This event was created to bring together a diverse selection of vocalists, musicians, and other musical groups to showcase the diversity brought to the world of music. This mission was accomplished with Wednesday night's tribute to gospel music icon Richard Smallwood backed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Glenn Caldwell. Dallas' most notable singers joined the celebration under the masterful choral direction of Clark Joseph and orchestrations of Roy J Cotton II. Reuben Lael's soul-stirring rendition of "Balm in Gilead" opened the concert and was a resounding crowd favorite. Dr. Myron William's familiar yet masterful "Center of My Joy" highlighted Smallwood's legacy while displaying Williams' range and vocally agility. |