Joe Obima: What's Your Story?

It's my favorite season of the year and I am kicking off this new segment with a gentleman by the name of Joe Obima. As our readers do not know, we met in a group interview of 11 different individuals. I was intrigued by his questionnaire responses and had to introduce myself before we both left. He stood out to me because of his genuine personality and way of thinking. He is quite interesting and represents what I call an Ambitionist!

Halle: Again Joe, It was a pleasure meeting you! I want to tell you that I am glad that I can share this time with you. So tell us.. What is your story?

Joe: For those who don't know me, my name is Joe Obima. I'm a 24 year old African-American, born in Washington D.C.. I was raised in Prince George's County, Maryland and am now currently living in Baltimore. At the moment, I am a student at Morgan State University studying multimedia journalism. What I plan to do after I graduate is to get a job at a news agency like the Baltimore Sun, City Paper, The Afro, etc. and cover the city of Baltimore. After a couple of years in Baltimore, I will move out west. Moving to California has been a dream for me for a while, I love the art scene there and most importantly, the weather! 

I was never into journalism as a kid, but since my dad was into politics, he would always ask me "what's going on in the world today" and always demanded me to  "stop watching Cartoon Network and change the channel to CNN!"-- Stuff like that.  I never really enjoyed watching the news. However, as I grew older (and after years of my dad drilling in my head the importances of current affairs), I've grown more curious and wanted to be in "the know".  Now, I'm a news junkie!

Aside from being a student studying journalism, I'm a freelance photographer. I've been a photographer for more than 8 years now. When I first started photography, I was just playing around, taking pictures of my friends as we would hang around and skate. Then as the years passed I started to get a little serious with want I want to pictures of, took photography classes in community college just to learn the science of photography. 

Today's Words Of Encouragement: Determine Your Own Luck

I'm feeling motivated and determined. Two words you should strive towards. Always. Ambition is a truly wonderful thing. Everyone has, or at least should have a dream. Mine? Make my name Big in every direction I chose to go. Weather it's the world of media & entertainment , marketing, or the fashion industry. I'm going to BLOW!  Yours? Well, you tell me. It goes without saying that most dreams will not come true instantly. Hard work is a key factor, but have faith in mind that you can achieve all that you want to in life.

"Make your own luck." This is an exceptional quote and one of which I live my life by. If you want something, you have to put yourself forward for that something. An example: you want a job. To get a job, it is necessary to hand out resumes, fill out application forms, be presentable, etc. If you keep doing this, you will get lucky. Somewhere along the line, God will give you that chance you're looking for. Someone has to get that job and it could be you. Unfortunately, things do take time. Be patient. Will that time be worth it? Just think.

EXHIBIT OF AMBITION: Elaquent

Music means the world to me! Thank God for Soundcloud allowing all artist to present their productions on such a widespread music stream. If it wasn't for my love for discovering new music and artist on Soundcloud, I wouldn't of came across the incredibly smooth and "hip" Sona 'eQ' Elango. I suggest that you all get familiar with Elaquent, he's "That Dude"! I'm sure you all will love him as much as I do! Especially those who LOVE jazz, modern hip hop, soulful type music.      

1.) Who/what inspires you?

Aside from the usual suspects like Dilla or madlib or other musical greats, I'm mostly inspired by life itself and new experiences. Nothing gets me more excited about making music than visiting a new place, or watching a good movie or eating a good sandwich (with mustard is a plus). Inspiration is everywhere.

2.) At what moment in your life did you notice that you were really into music production?

I must have been 13 or 14, making horrible beats on a demo copy of fruity loops, thinking I was DJ premier lol. But it kept me busy and hungry, as I got tires of complaining about music I heard on the radio that I didn't like.

3.) How was life for you while growing up?

Life was tough, I'm straight out of the projects....lol couldn't say that with a straight face. I grew up in a suburb in a relatively small city (Guelph), where there isn't much of a hiphop scene. But I'm not complaining, my parents always made sure I was in a position to succeed and my brother made sure I was up on underground hip hop.

4.) What are your inspirations in music?

Mostly the homies. A lot of the fam on HW&W and Melloworange and Soulection and other labels inspire me to stay active and hungry, my iPod is loaded full of artists I kick it with or chat with regularly. People I share stages with always inspire me after watching them play.

5.) How will you distinguish your way of mixing compared to other producers?

Generally I like to incorporate a jazzy edge to futuristic sounds, really trying to mix in new with the old. My music is pretty layered too, I like blending lots of different synths and keys together.

EXHIBIT OF AMBITION: Michell C. Clark

A few months ago I came across Michell Clark. He’s currently based in Richmond, VA and was born in Lafayette, IN. He moves and talk in the way of a wise man, inspiring others to believe in themselves. One key of success he will always lay down for people is Humbleness. I couldn’t help but notice that Michell’s strive and dedication for his business venture Artistic Manifesto is currently on the rise!  "Artistic Manifesto is a website dedicated to providing music for the eclectic, selective hip-hop lover. I needed a creative writing outlet, so I started it on a whim and learned as I went along." Clearly you guys can see that us both are very similar. :) We both also have a great amount of passion for researching and discovering music!

1.) How was life for you while growing up?

I was a fairly average suburban kid. Somewhat sheltered, involved in a lot of extracurricular activities, and unsure of what the hell I wanted to do with my life.

2.) Who/what inspires you?

I see inspiration every day in a number of different places. Seeing passionate people pursuing excellence inspires me, no matter what arena they're battling in.

3.) At what moment in your life did you notice that you wanted to become a business owner?

It wasn't until I really got into blogging and saw that I had a unique vision that I began to toy with the idea of being a business owner. I think it was late 2012 when I really began to realize that there are unfilled lanes in the blogosphere.

4.) How did Artistic Manifesto come about?

I started Artistic Manifesto when I was a cadet at West Point. I needed a creative writing outlet, so I started it on a whim and learned as I went along.

5.) What exactly is Artistic Manifesto? 

Artistic Manifesto is a website dedicated to providing music for the eclectic, selective hip-hop lover.

EXHIBIT OF AMBITION: Edward Skinner

Everyone meet the multi-talented businessman Edward Skinner. After talking to him personally, you too would say that he's truly a role model for all. Eddy has a passion for all aspects of creativity, art, music, humanitarianism, and philanthropy. His sole goal in life is “to contribute to the positive progression of humans as a whole.” He’s what I call an Ambitionist! He had a vision for owning his own business conglomerate called Reaching Your Dreams while in high school. Edward is now doing everything to make his business become a global success!  Reaching Your Dreams is a management, marketing, media, humanitarian and creative directory company. RYD's motto is to help everyone with a passion and to help each other reach their dream as much as they can.

1.) How was life for you while growing up?

Of course it wasn't all peaches & cream. Never met my father, struggled with my phenomenal mother. She has always been a supporter of mine. No matter what it was, she encouraged what I wanted to do. Ever since I was little I've always been drawn to music and the arts. Always been in my blood. Couldn't escape it and I never want to. 

2.) Who/what inspires you?

Life inspires me. Art inspires. Dreamers inspire me. Music inspires me. Just seeing people strive to obtain what they want out of life inspires me to keep going and to help people. That's all I want to do in life, help people, spread positivity, spread love, spread peace, spread unity, and spread inspiration. I just love life, music, art, and people.

3.) At what moment in your life did you notice that you wanted to become a humanitarian and marketing/management business owner?

I think I've known it my whole entire life. I've always had a knack for marketing. Always been my specialty. I can make anyone pay attention to whatever I'm offering. Me wanting to be a humanitarian has always been there. I've forever been a giver. I love to give and I love to uplift. As long as I know others are reaching tier dreams, that's all the payment and reassurance I need in life. 

4.) How did Reaching Your Dreams come about?

One day I was pondering on the fact that there's too much division in the world, period. Nobody wants to see another person be great. Everybody wants to step on the next man and down others for personal gain. All the politics, all the fake facades, the imaginary high horses, etc. It all annoys me. There's no unity, uplift, togetherness. I wanted/want to change this and create a company to be the platform towards a positive change. 

5.) What exactly is Reaching Your Dreams? Who's involved with this movement?

Reaching Your Dreams is a collective made up of individuals who share parallel interests in art, music, creativity, and humanitarianism. We are a group of individuals that are multi-talented in many different areas, and we each use out strengths to help one another move forward and progress in our craft. From videography, creative directory, photography, engineering, music, marketing, humanitarian and philanthropy work,  etc. Our motto is to help each other as much as we can. We aim to solely help people, no matter what. My passion has always been to be a humanitarian & marketing/management business owner. My sole goal in life to contribute to the positive progression of humans as a whole. I'm trying to do this with Reaching Your Dreams. That's why I'm building a team of people who are as positive minded as me and can contribute to this.

The Creator: Home of The Ambitionist

     Big dreams were something that always surrounded my world. From the sky-scrapers to the community of hard-workers, I became easily influenced by the determination, and work-ethic that city life encompassed. At a very young age this environment laid the foundation for me. Because success is always around me, I have always been fascinated by people who have achieved it consistently.

 

EXHIBIT OF AMBITION: Bishme Cromartie

One of my most profound memories of my childhood is when I was introduced to the world of glamour & high fashion at the age of 7. Growing up in east Baltimore, 25th St. & Guilford Ave., my sister and I had a friend named Bishme who lived around the corner. We would always find ourselves having fun designing clothes for our dolls. Bishme was always into fashion and over the years he explored every step there is to making it big in the fashion Industry. Check him out now at http://bishmercromartie.com/.