StarringDWELE
FONZWORTH BENTLEY
RAPHAEL SAADIQ
STEPHEN A SMITH
SUGAR SHANE
MOSLEY
MUSIQ SOULCHILD
ROBERTPATTINSON
and more
DWYANE WADE
producers10 ESSENTIALS
Client
Ad/Project Name
To Appear In
Bleed
Trim
Safety
Scale
Job # Filename
SETU
P
FMC_1056632J FMC_1056632J.indd
Ford
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
Steed Media
10.75” x 8.625”
10.5” x 8.375”
10” x 8”
100
Studio Artist
Size Fold Color Print
Issue
Scale
Art Director
Copy Writer
Production Mgr.
Traffi c
Last Modifi ed
PERS
ONN
EL
CONT
ENT
Fonts
Placed Graphics
Location
Inks
Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk (Medium Extended, Light Extended; Type 1), Helvetica Neue (65 Medium; Type 1)
TAU_RED_LOWFRONTR01_4Cv2.psd (585 ppi, 625 ppi; CMYK), Ford_Drive_One.ai Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
sjongsurasithiwatColorPass Canon Studio
2-11-2010 12:33 PM
Spread 4/CB
MAR 2010
None
J. Carethers
L. Llewellyn
H. Musson
J. Hecht
Sophia Jongsurasithiwat / Howard Musson
This Ad Prepared By UniWorld Group, Inc.
| SHO AND PROVE. |
| COME WITH IT. |
THE ALL-NEW 2010 FORD TAURUS SHO
©2010 Ford Motor Company
Don’t apologize for the fact that you love to drive. Roll proud with a 3.5L EcoBoost™ twin-turbo V6 direct injection engine that delivers 365 horsepower and 350 lb. ft of torque. A decklid-mounted rear spoiler and the seriously sleek lines bring it home.
Client
Ad/Project Name
To Appear In
Bleed
Trim
Safety
Scale
Job # Filename
SETU
P
FMC_1056632J FMC_1056632J.indd
Ford
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
Steed Media
10.75” x 8.625”
10.5” x 8.375”
10” x 8”
100
Studio Artist
Size Fold Color Print
Issue
Scale
Art Director
Copy Writer
Production Mgr.
Traffi c
Last Modifi ed
PERS
ONN
EL
CONT
ENT
Fonts
Placed Graphics
Location
Inks
Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk (Medium Extended, Light Extended; Type 1), Helvetica Neue (65 Medium; Type 1)
TAU_RED_LOWFRONTR01_4Cv2.psd (585 ppi, 625 ppi; CMYK), Ford_Drive_One.ai Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
sjongsurasithiwatColorPass Canon Studio
2-11-2010 12:33 PM
Spread 4/CB
MAR 2010
None
J. Carethers
L. Llewellyn
H. Musson
J. Hecht
Sophia Jongsurasithiwat / Howard Musson
This Ad Prepared By UniWorld Group, Inc.
| SHO AND PROVE. |
| COME WITH IT. |
THE ALL-NEW 2010 FORD TAURUS SHO
©2010 Ford Motor Company
Don’t apologize for the fact that you love to drive. Roll proud with a 3.5L EcoBoost™ twin-turbo V6 direct injection engine that delivers 365 horsepower and 350 lb. ft of torque. A decklid-mounted rear spoiler and the seriously sleek lines bring it home.
M I S S I O N
The word ‘producer’ conjures up images of movers and shakers,
visionaries and forward thinking people moving to make things happen and
essentially keep the world turning on it’s axis.
From awe-inspriing artists and authors to sensational singers and songwriters the men on the following pages are the luminaries of our time. These are the men of our time who visualize the possibilities and seize the opportunities to direct the course to quality living. They are the stars and the star makers, the forward thinkers who realize they are the masters of their destinies. Athletes and artists, businessmen and doctors, producers and songwriters, all share a common thread — they aspire. Here are the stories of men who throughout the course of their careers have been given to embracing challenge and overcoming obstacles. They are the optimists and the pragmatists who recognize that what they dream the can achieved.
FMC chronicles the accomplishments of African American men who without fail continue to pursue excellence across a spectrum of artistic endeavors and vocations. We applaud their talents and their relentless drive to remove barriers and claim their respective prizes. The greatness that is housed in the character of these men of stature is indicative of their “Can do” spirit and their innate sense of the inherent value in achievement.
The immense satisfaction derived from
accomplishment inspires creativity and fuels ambition. The designer of the Ford Taurus, also an African American man, subscribes to a similar set of mantras which foster a commitment to excellence. His vision and capacity for identifying the attributes of a quality vehicle and assembling the components for a quality driving experience are indicative of the caliber of the company he represents.
These producers of art, film, literature and music and medical procedure and technology share the attributes that lead men to become champions and leaders in their communities and mark a blueprint for cultural progress. The character traits outlined in each of the sections of FMC are the essential tenets for formulating an individual approach for remarkable careers and meaningful living.
From captains of industry to community volunteers, the men of color represented here are to be heralded and emulated at every turn for their dedication to raising standards, both socially and professionally. They are as reliable as the vehicles featured and are sure to continue performing at pace that makes them worthy of individaul and collective accolades.
—Munson Steed
No. 4
ESSENTIALS OF A MAN’S WARDROBE
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
THE MEASURE OF A MAN
MELVIN VAN PEEBLES
THE FAITH TO MOVE
One basic rule to remember is
never confuse fashion
with style.
The question about
championship-level boxing
hung in the air for a fraction
of a second as Sugar Shane
Mosley quickly sizes it up.
Musicians are often inclined to
wander from cut to cut in an
effort to progress from basic
to complex melodies during
production.
It was ironic that Melvin
Van Peebles’ most famous
filmmaking production was
1971’s Sweet Sweetback’s
Baadasssss Song.
In a world where get rich
quick schemes pop up by the
millisecond, one man seems
content to cast his lot in life
through the use of his own
recipe for success.
1624
28
16
32
42
88
No. 6
Bernard Hopkins 70
Blueprint 80
Tenacity 90
Vigor 100
Despite looking resplendent in
a tailored suit, reclining with
a GQ lean, intensity rises off
Bernard Hopkins like smoke
off a block of ice.
Doluptatio odion ea conulput
wis dui ea feugue molorerat
wiscipi smodolore cortis dignit
augait vel eum veliquat, quat
lore do con ulputpat, quisi.
Unt init, con henim velisi.
Doluptatio odion ea conulput
wis dui ea feugue molorerat
wiscipi smodolore cortis dignit
augait vel eum veliquat, quat
lore do con ulputpat, quisi.
Unt init, con henim velisi.
In spring 2009, nearly a year
before I departed ESPN as its
premier NBA analyst – the
greatest job I ever had -- I
was watching television with
my parents and two of my
four sisters.
No. 8
Adulation 120Doluptatio odion ea conulput
wis dui ea feugue molorerat
wiscipi smodolore cortis
dignit augait vel eum
veliquat, quat lore do con
ulputpat, quisi. Unt init,
No. 9
the ladder of success with catlike dexterity
and remained relentless in his drive to
achieve his objectives. “The desire to
achieve is something you can be taught,
or you can inherit a solid work ethic
from your parents ... I have always been
someone who was reaching and thought
to do the best that I could. I wanted my
things to be the best I could make them.
As I was coming along, I knew there was a
lifestyle that I wanted to have.”
Although the ultra successful auto
dealer earned a degree in journalism and
initially planned to cultivate a career in the
media, the enterprising Ewing made an
abrupt and possibly risky career decision
and changed gears altogether.
“I was impatient. I had the confidence
to know that whatever business got into I
was going to make it successful. I had been
working in the car business and went from
salesman to sales manager to general sales
manager. Ford had education courses that
you could take at the time to get you up
to speed on accounting, so I decided then
to take some business courses. I needed to
understand the numbers, and what debits
and credits meant versus who Shakespeare
and Chaucer were,” he explains matter-of-
factly.
Five Ford franchises later, it’s more than
evident that he made the right choice.
Ewing admits there were some obstacles,
which might have been daunting for a
lesser man or presented an opportunity to
exploit a situation and use it as a rationale
to bail. “I don’t look for excuses. The
biggest obstacle is getting our people to
come and support our businesses. And
that’s something that happens across the
board. At the end of the day, I want to sell
cars to all people,” he says in the composed
and confident manner he’s best known for.
Ewing’s mantra is a simple one: “The
proof of one’s ability is measured by
results. When you have a job to do,
do your job. and when you have an
opportunity do it to the best of your
ability ... somebody will notice your
dedication,” he concludes.
Steve Ewing has been kicking tires and getting
customers approved for car loans for more than two
decades now. As president and CEO of Atlanta-based
car giant Wade Ford, the Montclair, N.J., native climbed
No. 12
F R E D E R I E K T O N E YC O R P O R A T E O F F I C E R , F O R D M O T O R C O M P A N Y Ford Motor Company has placed one of the most important considerations of its business into the hands of Frederiek Toney. And if exuberance is an indicator of capability, they’ve absolutely made the right decision. As the corporate officer of Ford Motor Company and vice president of the Ford Customer Service Division, Toney spoke of his purview within Ford as if he were introducing his family: “We are responsible for customer service-- meaning that we interface with all of our customers, including dealer and consumer, so whenever there are issues that need to be resolved, it comes to this department’s attention.” He continued proudly, “We also are responsible for delivering parts to dealers all over the United States and making sure the dealers have what they need on the shelf to take care of their customers. “In addition to that, we have the service technicians through our service engineering organization, where we create the technical training materials as well as work with our product development community to ensure that we have easy maintenance and quick fix processes for any engines or new products that we put into the field. We also have a responsibility for our extended service business, and our field sales and service organization, who call on our dealers and take care of them.” It’s no doubt that Toney’s sincere commitment to the end customer–internal and external--along with his team’s, has positively influenced the company’s bottom line. In the midst of a recession, Ford finds itself on “the upswing.” “We are definitely trending in the positive direction,” he said. “Much has gone into that, including about four or five years ago with what we call a Way Forward plan, then crystallizing that plan when Alan Mulally [Ford’s president and CEO] came on board and we put in place the ONE Ford plan, which essentially speaks to the way we treat each other, the behaviors and the consistency with which we manage and interact on a personal basis and professional basis with each other, with our dealers, with our customers ... all to support some consistent objectives, including restructuring ourselves to be competitive.” Such leadership, of which Toney is firmly established as part the brain trust, has led to helping Ford to turn the corner to operating profitably, and most notably, gaining an additional 1% share of the automotive market. “We are a full two years ahead of where we thought we’d be,” he said. I think that our product is extraordinarily competitive ... it’s best in class. Every new vehicle that we put out is leading in its class, in fuel efficiency, quality, safety and value. Ford has decided, if we put our name on it, it’s gonna be best in class. Being good is a choice.” In that vein, Toney has chosen to be passionate about what he does, which can only lead to being the best--with class.
No. 15
W H E R E T H E F A M I L Y S E D A N M E E T S L U X U R Y
When you check out the newly designed Ford Taurus, the first thing that catches your
eye is the makeover. As you make your way around the vehicle, more impressive features are
revealed—like its athletic shape, the Taurus’ sharp new profile and its striking definition. To
add to that, the powerdome hood, bold new projector beam halogen headlamps, recessed
parking lamps and a sleeker three-bar grille, all mark significant improvements.
Take a look inside, and you’ll notice that the roof is lower … to preserve headroom, the
seats are lowered too. On the dash, the instrument panel showcases a plethora of blue lit
gauges and small black buttons, all cleverly placed to display the seamless, classy design and
the engineers’ craftsmanship.
An impressive set of cutting-edge features come standard on the 2010 Taurus offering
both convenience and safety. There’s the Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning,
Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic
Alert and Ford SYNC with voice-activated navigation to control your cell phone or iPod.
Appeal
No. 16
Ford Taurus 2010
Once the feast
of mechanical
changes is digested,
make room for
dessert. New
features for 2010
are the Easy Fuel
capless refueling,
the SecuriCode
keypad for keyless
entry (SEL, Limited
and SHO trims),
headlamps with
autolamps, the
MyKey parental
control program
to restrict the car’s
speed to 80 mph for
the inexperienced
driver, a manual tilt/
telescoping steering
wheel; and available add-ons include high
intensity, ambient lighting for dark roads, a
10-speaker premium audio sound system,
heated/cooled front seats, second row heated
seats, and multi-contour seats (for both
driver and passenger to reduce fatigue, while
integrating a six-way lumbar support and a
rolling pattern massage).
Front-wheel drive is available on the SE,
SEL and Limited Edition trim levels, and
all-wheel drive (AWD) is offered on the latter
two. All of the models come equipped with
the Duratec 263-hp 3.5 liter V6 engine and
a 6-speed automatic transmission. With
the exception of the SE, all trim levels offer
the sportier driving options, the SelectShift
transmission offers manual shift control
and downshifting rev-matching capability.
The high-performance SHO (Super High
Output) has the brand’s signature Eco-Boost
No. 17
turbocharged 365-hp 3.5 liter engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission and AWD,
which smoothly jolts like a dose of caffeine for the unsuspecting driver.
Standard equipment, not mentioned previously, on the SE includes 17” alloy wheels,
automatic headlights, all power accessories, a 60/40 split folding rear set, steering wheel
audio controls and a six speaker stereo system and CD/MP3 player. The SEL adds 18”
wheels, heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, satellite radio and an auto-dimming
rearview mirror.
Other upgrades available on specific trim levels include 19” alloy wheels, rear parking
sensors, leather upholstery, a 12-speaker Sony branded premium audio system and Sirius
Travel Link.
The sporty SHO adds a glossy black dash trim, xenon headlamps, upgraded leather trim,
a rear spoiler and dual chrome exhausts tips. An added bonus, the SHO can be equipped
with 20” summer tires and a rearview camera.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2010 Taurus its highest accolade, a
Top Safety Pick rating, based on results of front-, side- and rear-impact crash tests.
No. 18
{ TenaciTy }Men Among Us
There are exceptional men among us. These men took their young years, most against great odds, to prepare themselves to be the best in their chosen fields. Most of these men understood early how racism, white supremacy, worked and therefore resisted its traps and temptations and fortified their bodies, minds and spirits to rise against its evils. These men are in the tradition of Martin Delaney, W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, John Coltrane, Arthur Ashe, Romare Bearden, Thurgood Marshall, A.G. Gaston, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr. and others. Exceptional men known and unknown are many among us. Some of them are your fathers, grandfathers, uncles, teachers, ministers, coaches, friends and mentors. Being a man of African ancestry, a Black man in America, for most of us has been like pushing a plow in a dry field without a horse or mule. Most often, we have had to navigate life through the worldview, ideas, culture, systems and prejudices of others that have forced many of us into mediocrity, a blinding hopelessness and destroyed a good percentage of us. Being born Black and male, one’s development into Black manhood is often, in America, a dangerously paralyzing journey. Because of the dangers and the many traps set to steer Black boys away from being responsible men, it is critical that we understand that being a man is not just a function of biology. Just as important are culture, community values, current knowledge base, spiritual connectedness, positive self-concept, familial relationships, friendships, brotherhood, work and a work ethic, health, loveships, a winning and creative attitude toward life, intelligence and a willingness to learn, grow and change when necessary. Many Black men have missing moments in their lives and therefore must make a serious commitment to internal reflection and change. To that end, I suggest the following: 1. Have regular conversations with someone you trust, preferably an older man—father, grandfather, uncle or close male friend.
2. Participate in activities that build self-esteem, such as improving upon your education, part-time school in the evenings or on weekends, or a combination of both. If you have a high school education, consider community college; it’s probably the most democratic institution of higher education.3. Work in an area that gives you satisfaction and joy, bringing out the best in you.4. Nurture relationships that are understanding, living and special.5. Find a new environment—a new community that can aid and stimulate the growth potential in you.6. Maintain a frame of mind that insists that you are not a victim but an adult who is experiencing temporary problems that you can fix.7. Listen to your own life-affirming spirit and locate a spiritual and faith community that complements your needs.8. Exercise and eat properly. Keep your weight down and stay in shape. If you look good and feel good about yourself, you will radiate a positive aura.9. Study, study, study. The more you understand the intricacies of life—personal and public—the better you will be able to handle most things that come before you. 10. Consider making the public library a regular stop during your week. An active library card is a must for people seeking to build their minds with current and up to date information and knowledge. Most exceptional men understand and incorporate the lessons of history in their lives. We are here because strong men and women preceded us and created the paths we now tread upon. We are not without examples, contemporary and historical, that offer bright directions. Look closely at your immediate community. Don’t forget your own family. There are thousands of men who are all around us, waiting to be asked for help. Haki R. Madhubuti, Ph.D.Poet, Founder and Publisher of Third World PressUniversity Distinguished Professor, Professor of English, Director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Chicago State
No. 20
In spring 2009, nearly a year before I departed ESPN as its premier NBA analyst – the greatest job I ever had -- I was watching television with my parents and two of my four sisters. We
watched then-Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham-Clinton, Joe Biden and others during a presidential debate. I watched my family as they nodded their heads in agreement, mimicking informed citizens knowledgeable of the issues at hand, knowing full well that no one was remotely aware of how significantly politics affected our daily lives.
Sadly, that included me as well.One can only wonder what that says about
most of us living in today’s society.It was on that day I experienced a
transformation. I made a personal and private pledge that ignorance was no longer an option and its eradication would take effect immediately in my life. For those who would have this to say, “Way to go, Stephen A.! That’s the way to handle your business,” I’d ask them to pause for a moment and refrain from giving credit.
Their praise implies that I had a choice. To me, none existed.
It was a necessity back then.It still is now.Ignorance is not bliss, after all. Not now.
Too much damage has been done. There’s a reason Negro slaves literally sacrificed their lives for our right to learn to read and write.
They knew intelligence could not only
change lives, it could change a culture and a generation.
To be real and honest, the mission of change isn’t complete yet. In fact, especially because we’re now a nation with a Black president, one could argue that we’ve actually taken a step backward, not forward.
Few of us could have anticipated the backlash of an Obama presidency and whether White America would say one of two things: “A Black man has been voted into office as the leader of the free world, so don’t come to us about racism anymore;” or “If young Black males could just be like Obama, carry themselves like Obama, educate themselves like Obama, they wouldn’t have to worry about racism at all.”
Sure, it’s sad there are some people who feel that way. But its worse that Black America never saw the shift to racial absolution coming.
Are the lives of Black Americans better today? Take into consideration statistics from October 2009 when unemployment was at 10.2% nationwide, 15.6% in the Black community and nearly 30% among young Black males.
Now ask that question again.Perhaps, even better, it’s time for Black
America to ask what role we’ve played in our own state of ignorance. There are libraries and bookstores everywhere. How many of us visit them? How many of us take the time to read?
We’ve got a two-party political system where politicians who are filled with strife spew rhetoric from both sides of the aisle, yet stand in unison when it comes to chasing the almighty dollar.
Somehow one party has gotten away with ostracizing the other from the Black
How Intelligence Can Change Lives
No. 20
No. 21
community – while Blacks are oblivious to the detriment to our own community.
This is not a call, by any stretch, to encourage anybody to abandon one party for another. Moreover, it’s a call for Black America to educate itself; to wake up and recognize that by being transparent in our support for one party and our disdain for another, we ultimately disenfranchise ourselves.
After all, if one party has our vote in the bag while the other simply ignores us because they know we’re not going to vote for them anyway, who’s really out there working on behalf of a community that’s one-sided?
Who’s really representing us when it comes to job creation? Healthcare? Education? Who’s genuinely fearful of the issues that arise when the needs of the Black community aren’t serviced?
This is our opportunity to allow our pursuit of real education to begin. We must recognize that the people who are allowed to enact legislation should be forced to actually work for our vote. This will provide accountability to a community largely manipulated and ignored since the civil rights movement. Only then will real education begin.
Suddenly, instead of scoffing at fiscally conservative Republicans who we’ve been led to believe are against us, we’ll aim our ire at moderate Democrats holding the nation’s healthcare bill hostage so they can procure funding for their individual states in pursuit of re-election. Instead of looking through rose-colored glasses at everything our Black president does, we’ll actually address real issues and disagree without being disagreeable.
Maybe, just maybe, instead of picking up either Newsweek, Time magazine, The
Wall Street Journal, The New York Times or The Washington Post, we’ll read all of them. We’ll compare and dissect news and opinions to grasp some semblance of the truth. Any educated person knows that approach is better than depending on so-called leaders to do it for us. Particularly the ones already bought and paid for.
From FDR to JFK, LBJ to Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and beyond, it’s cool to recognize the games being played on Capitol Hill. That is, right up until the moment we realize all of the jokes are on us.
Then the fun is over. Merely talking about basketball and other
sports doesn’t scratch the itch. When all is said and done -- whether working part-time or full-time, renting or owning a home – no one is spared.
We all pay taxes. We all answer to the overseer of the system we live in. We’re accountable to unknown authorities and schemes.
Doubt it? Then you haven’t asked yourself how a bunch of folks on Wall Street cost you your job or why they’ll end up costing you more money when a tax increase comes down the pipe.
Maybe most folks are happy not asking those questions. Ignorance does have its moments of bliss. But when has ignorance ever had its benefits? How much has it cost our community?
If you haven’t asked yourself that question before, maybe it’s time you do.
It’s never too late to get educated, unless you feel you already are.
Then you’re a lost cause anyway.By Stephen A. Smith
No. 21
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