Columbia, SC native Lori Minor

My passion and purposeful career is acting and the performing arts.  I pursued a career in education prior to pursuing acting and performance arts. A major sacrifice I made was when I left my job of 5 years with Lexington District 2 (SC) and moved to NY to study at the Circle in The Square Theatre School in Manhattan. I currently stay with relatives while I attend school.

If I was to impart advice to anyone about pursuing their passion, I would ask yourself... Does this mean more to me than a passing hobby? Can I live without it? Can I impact someone's life in a positive way as well as mine by pursuing this? If the answer to some or all of these is yes, then you should pursue it. If you really want it you should go for it. Not sure how to get started? Ask someone who's done it. Funds not exactly in order? Start small; break your goal into steps and do what you can a bit at a time. Don't let money be the deterrent. Start fundraisers for yourself. Ask for help. I had several people bless me financially knowing my endeavor. One of my cousins told me they didn't want money to be the reason I didn't go back to school. She didn't cover everything, but what she gave was a great blessing. Also, start qualifying yourself for the career/passion. You want to be a dancer, start taking classes. You want to start your own business, begin studying how. Don't fail because of inexperience or being unprepared. The more you know the more you grow and the more faith you have in yourself the more faith others will have in you. With God all things are possible and I believe if I have faith, a will and a way, I can achieve anything and so can you!

People can following me on Facebook.  Feel free to ask questions, and I'll keep you posted on upcoming events 

https://facebook.com/loriminor247

I don't have a website just yet but I will have that up soon. 

What Is My Passion Thursdays: Meet Actress/Model Kharlybia N. Roane

We featured a reel that was completed for South Carolina native Actress/Model Kharlybia N. Roane a few months ago.  Not long afterwards, the young lady had two major occurrences.  She was asked to walk the runway in a fashion show in Charlotte, NC.  Then a few weeks before her high school graduation last month, she fell ill due to complications from her sickle cell anemia.  But thanks be to God, she is well, and we had an opportunity to meet up and talk with her in New York where she is taking a month long acting workshop through the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.  We met up with her at her school's residence hall in the Brooklyn Heights area, and walked over to the Brooklyn Pier for spectacular views of the Statute of Liberty and the Manhattan Skyline as she discussed her impending plans.

Kharlybia is on the verge of a huge breakthrough.  She was in NYC for only 2 days when a fashion designer asked her to model for him.  To no surprise, the 6 foot beauty has already graced the runway from New York to Paris, so she should be used to being approached.  Nevertheless, she gave his contact info to her "momager" Peggie Funny-Roane, back home in South Carolina, so the jury is still out.  She's in NYC to get trained in acting, and all the while, discovering herself post-graduation.  She loves her daily classes, and is seriously considering working for a year at home, and coming back to NYC to attend the school's 2 year program. She had an audition two days ago to obtain a scholarship that will make it affordable to attend the school.  She'll find out in a few weeks if she got it.  Her other option is to study forensic science in a South Carolina college and minor in drama/theater. Decisions, decisions!!!  Yet, her passion is for the arts, and if there is anytime to do it, she feels that it is NOW.  She is strong in her convictions, and knows she can do it through Christ and the love and support of her family and friends.  This thespian is on the rise, and will go far.  Small Town Girl in the Big City making DREAMS come true.  If it can happen to her, it can happen to you!!

Travel Tuesdays: NYC Memorial Day Wknd Visit

Rhonda and I took a short trip to NYC over Memorial Day Weekend to take the workshop Directing the Camera with Instructor Ela Thier, at The Independent Film School.  This was our third workshop with her, and it was the most enlightening of them all.  It tied the previous two workshops (Producing in Jan 2010 & Screenwriting in Sept 2012) together, and set us up to improve an area of filmmaking we were limited in know-how.  It's not easy to pick up a camera, shoot, direct actors, and get the type of shot necessary to make a compelling film or video.  It takes direction (Director), action (Actors), and composition (Videographer).  

In addition to our attendance at the workshop, we were able to fit in time to play in NYC.  We walked around our cousin's neighborhood, and took a different direction than the previous visit by walking to our lil cousin's school 2 blocks away.  Sharee raced her cousin around the playground, and Rhonda challenged her at the swings as to who can go higher. Such fun!! 

We also spent quite a bit of time in NYC's infamous Bryant's Park.  We conducted workshop shooting exercises in the park, and spent our lunch hour with a new friend, South Carolina actress Juanita Frederick.

Check-out some highlights of our visit and two of our favorite shooting exercises videos.

Sharee, Rhonda, Juanita F

"the hand-off"

                                            "the search"

What Is My Passion Thursdays: Meet Chantal Maurice

Sharee and I first met Chantal Maurice when she auditioned for Doyhae Films independent feature film, Safe House: A Christian Story. We were producers on the project. Chantal was one of the lead characters. The film is currently being screened throughout the Columbia, SC area at various churches. 

Chantal was also featured in That's Bull: Elijah and the Prophets of Wall Street. It won 2012 Best Short Film at Detroit's GloryReelz Christian Film Festival and Inspirational Story at the 2012 Stauros Entertainment Inspirational Film Festival in Los Angeles. This short movie was filmed on the campus of Charleston Southern University during Chantal's senior year and a few months after Sharee obtained her MBA at the institution.

Chantal Maurice is a working actress currently residing in NYC. Recent credits include: Assurance Wireless Commercial, TV shows: Deadly Devotions and Frenemies on the Investigation Discovery Channel. You can catch her on Wednesday Nights at The Actors Temple in NYC in Layon Gray's Off-Broadway NAACP Award Winning Play, "The Girls of Summer"

Chantal's passion is to evoke real emotions by telling real stories.  She never considered any other career other than acting. Chantal had the desire and passion to entertain others since she was about 4 years old. She had survival jobs to make ends meet: Retail, radio promotions, social media coordinator. Chantal used her experiences with all of those survival jobs for motivation and to fuel her creativity when she approach different characters for different projects.

The biggest sacrifice that Chantal made pursuing her acting career was being so far away from her immediate family. She comes from a really close knit family and it's hard not being able to visit as often as she likes. Between auditions, filming, performing on stage and working, Chantal makes it home about 3 to 4 times a year.
 

Chantal gives this advice for those on the fence to Take A Leap, "If you wake up in the morning and go to bed at night with a burning desire of what you feel may be your passion, it's time to make a move. Start with research. Find out what it takes to turn your passion into a career. What training do you need? What are the steps you need to take to get started? I think this is a very important step because so many people get caught up in the idea of what they want to do, without actually having the patience and tenacity to work towards it. Also, I believe it's important to have an experienced Career Coach who can help support and guide you. Remember, it's a marathon to the finish line, not a race. Enjoy the journey." 

Readers can learn more about Chantal Maurice by visiting her website at www.ChantalMaurice.com to view her work and to see what she is currently up to.

Do you have a burning desire of what your passion is when you lay down at night and wake up in the morning? What steps are you taking to make that Passion into reality? Comment below.

Rhonda W. & Sharee W.

What is My Passion Thursdays: Meet Juanita Frederick, Actress

Juanita M. Frederick is a native of Columbia, SC. She is a graduate of St. Augustine's College (Raleigh, NC) with a BA in Theatre and Film and a minor in Spanish. She works in theatre and film in the Greater NY area. 

My passion is inviting the world to consider the notion that life is much larger than just ourselves and what we know about our world. My purposeful career is to entertain, educate and enlighten others through acting in powerful plays and films.  I also hope to pursue other areas of the entertainment industry.

Because I love performing, I have never pursued any other career path outside of acting in the entertainment industry. For some, working does not feel like work. I feel this way about acting.  When I have an acting job, I do not feel like I am working in the traditional sense of the word. Performing is totally my play time! I have had traditional jobs between acting jobs because some acting projects are not financially sustainable. During those in between times, I worked as an assistant teacher in private and public schools.  I also have worked in a homeless shelter and in an art gallery.  

I have made some sacrifices in order to pursue my passion. One of the most impactful sacrifices was to relocate from my home grown roots after completing college to Philadelphia. However, my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl (Maritha) Frederick, continue to make the most sacrifices in order for me to pursue my passion. My parents are tireless in their support of my journey to the “red carpet.”

I have several pieces of advice to others who are fearful to “Take A Leap” into their purpose and purposeful careers.  First and foremost, pray for guidance. With prayer, an abundance of things will happen.  God will give you courage to be fearless, but you have to forcefully take steps toward your goal(s). God also will aide you in handling your fears by surrounding you with people who are honest and supportive-- family and friends; those who are where you are professionally who will navigate the waters with you; and, those who are where you aspire to be professionally who will become your mentors. Secondly, consider the contribution you will make to the world with your passion and purposeful career. Just think about this point: Somewhere are others who need you to be you and to share what you have so they can graduate to their purpose.  Remember that life is much larger than just ourselves.

Readers can learn more about my work at www.linkedin.com/pub/juanita-frederick/57/38/597

What Is My Passion Thursdays: Meet Sojourner

A month ago, during our Labor Day weekend in New York City, we met up with Sojourner Walker: travel blogger, volunteer enthusiast, entrepreneur, teacher, and mother of 2 year-old Ohm.  

Our meeting spot was at Island Salad in Brooklyn on Fulton Street.  This block of Brooklyn is known for it's Caribbean vibe, and the music that played and the people we met didn't disappoint.  Rhonda and I were enjoying our veggie sandwiches and chatting with a Caribbean fellow when Sojourner, green juice in one hand, and pushing her son Ohm in a red stroller with the other hand, joined us at our outdoor spot.  

Sojourner's passion starts with her first name.  Sojourner is often synonymous to being in a place temporarily.  So when her Father, a Minister, questions about why she's all over the place, she emphasizes that he did name her Sojourner, a self-prophecy of her adventurous nature.  

Sojourner has traveled extensively through Europe and Asia alongside her jazz musician husband with toddler in tow, as well as personal travel that allowed her to volunteer teaching abroad.  This passion for teaching and traveling took her to Ghana in 2005, and when she took a hiatus from teaching in NYC, it was her travel abroad volunteer teaching experience that reignited her passion for the profession.  After taking additional time off to raise her son, she recently returned to the classroom as a part-time elementary drama teacher in the Bronx.  In addition, she makes Touch of Ohm butters and fragrances that she sells from her Brooklyn home, and manages the popular travel blog, Sojourner Sojourns.  

In a future posts we'll continue to discover Sojourner's passions including some tips on traveling with young children, and what's in her green juice.  In addition, Sojourner will guest blog in a future post about opportunities to travel and volunteer abroad.

Rhonda W. & Sharee W.

Travel Tuesdays: Community Gardens, an Urban Oasis

A Brooklyn Brownstone*.

Two weekends ago Sharee and I were walking in the early morning hours in my cousin's Brooklyn BedSty neighborhood, where we were staying for a couple of nights. We paused at the signage below:

Behind the fence was:

The ground is ready for herbs.

and 

Herbs being grown.

Who would have thought we would have seen a beautiful oasis in an urban setting? 

We walked again the next day and saw a similar oasis in a park and between apartment buildings.

Community garden created by neighborhood kids at a nearby park.

A landscape yard with a gazebo between Brooklyn dwellings.

This peaceful oasis can occur in any neighborhood. Have you created or want to create a community garden where you reside? Comment below about your experiences with community gardens.

*All photos were taken personally by Rhonda & Sharee.

Rhonda W.

Travel Tuesdays: The City That Never Sleeps

We had a whirlwind weekend in NYC Labor Day weekend that included attendance at a Broadway play, The Trip to Bountiful; meet-up with travel blogger Sojourner W; and personal visits with family in Brooklyn and Jersey City.  There's a reason no one sleeps in NYC (except on the subway)- there's so much to see, do, and take-in.  Here are a few pics from our weekend.  Additional pics will be shared in future posts.

Rhonda takes early morning walk in Tompkin Park, Brooklyn, NY

Aunt Gladys, Sharee, & Rhonda in Theater District 

Jersey City, NJ where we visited our Great-Uncle

A Community Garden (Herb Farms) in Brooklyn, NY

Let's Take to the Sky

Stunning View of the Duomo in Florence, Italy
(personal photo)

The first time we flew on a plane was to visit our cousin in Brooklyn, NY just before New Year's 1996 in the middle of our junior year in college.  We saved the money from our part-time jobs to purchase the $300 plane fare.  We left on a Delta plane out of Augusta, GA with a connection in Atlanta, GA before heading to NYC.  We had great lift offs that took us to the skies and above the clouds, and clean landings. The best part of the trip was the free beverages, the sandwich boxes, and peanuts.   We've gone on dozens of family trips to NYC and Jersey City, NJ in the 80's to early 90's, and it took all of 12 hours driving time from the South.  So to be able to get there in less than four hours...man, sign us up.  We've been hooked ever since, and you'll often find us flying rather than driving any distance beyond 6 hrs.  Most recently, we have taken to the sky internationally to China and Europe, with more destinations forthcoming.

As is the case, there are people who have expressed to us that they have anxieties to flying, and will take behind the wheel anytime.  Even drive more than three thousand miles to a destination.  No problem, if you have the time; multiple drivers; and a tune-up personal car or rental.  But it does become a problem when you find yourself missing family functions, vacations, and other memorable experiences because of anxieties associated with air travel.  We thought we'll share a few tips on how to combat your fear of flying so that you can get to your destination quicker, if you choose to do so.

#1) Meet the pilot.  The pilot has your life in his hands, and if you are able to meet him or her while boarding, then it can often ease your fears as you gain trust and relinquish personal control. Risk is a part of life. Fear flourishes on control and worry about the future. Let go!!

#2) Find focus point. Mediate.  Lower stress hormones by looking straight ahead and finding a focus point, then count count what you see, hear, and touch by naming 5 things; then 4; then down to 1.  This exercise takes all of two minutes and keeps you from focusing on problematic issues. Additional exercises include mediating by closing your eyes and counting your breath or reciting the alphabet backwards.  Control your thoughts. Don't let your imagination take over.

#3) Learn about your in flight experience. Understand that speed is necessary for lift-off; your ear pops because of change in cabin pressure; the wing moves to navigate the plane; turbulence is caused by changes in air currents; remain in your seat belts until the Captain makes announcement that you are "now free to move about the cabin"; etc.

#5) Know the statistics. Check out this video from Jennifer Poe of Imported Chocolate.  She has additional tips on combating anxiety and shares a few statistics on the safety of air travel.

Do you have a fear of flying? What will it take to get you on a plane?

Go After Your Dreams: ALL OF THEM

Over the last few weeks my sister and I have talked about what it would take to run our Film/TV/Webshow production company full-time.  We've been advised to increase the price of our DVDs, become a non-profit organization, or charge upfront producing fees rather than accepting no or deferred payment.  We are still not clear on which direction to go, but we know that dropping our full-time jobs is not an option. Or is it??

I talked to a gentleman today who decided to try his "luck" in NYC. Even though he had a life in church ministry and a teenage son he was leaving behind,  he went to NYC to chase after a dream of becoming an actor.  He first eased into it slowly.  He would go to NYC a week at a time to audition, then return to SC. Once he booked a few roles and saved the money to Take A Leap, he found an apartment outside the city, and took it to the next level. Commercials, Movies, TV, and Theatre.  He proved he could do it, and then returned home after two years.  He continues to act locally, and takes on work in NYC whenever he fits it in his schedule.  Other than that, he has returned to the hustle and bustle of full-time work; yet I could see in the twinkle of his eye, that Hollywood maybe calling him next.

The thought that has crossed my mind is maybe we can do the same.  At least one of us will have to keep our full-time job initially, while the other keep part-time employment and grows the business to full-time status.  I think 12-14 months is enough time to put a concrete plan in action and implement.  Then we'll reverse.  The one who took time off will return to full-time work, and the other will now take the same 12-14 months to grow the business even more.  Within two and half years, we would hope to be in a position to run the business full-time and be in the black financially (we're so in the red now).  If not, we'll both go back to full-time salaried work, and run our production company part-time as we're doing now.

Are you currently working in your dream job? If not, and you could leave your job today, what will you do?

12 Goals to Reach by Year End 2012

Martice with Black Girl in the Big World put out a challenge to create a list of 12 goals to accomplish by the end of 2012.  With 4 1/2 months to go before the year ends, we came up with our own list.

#1 Brand Take A Leap as a go to source within the travel blog community.  This includes establishing relationships with travel bloggers in an effort to promote each other's initiatives.  We supported Martice by purchasing Black Girl Travel T-shirts.  Our next effort will be partnering with Jennifer P of Imported Chocolate.  She will be assisting us in setting up a screening of our pilot episode of Take A Leap in NYC in early December.

#2 Sharee will obtain her first real estate client (outside of herself), and sell her townhome in Columbia, SC. She'll then use the monthly savings to fund her Roth 403b.

#3 Rhonda will start a blog dedicated to financial education, obtain 25 referrals for her ValuTeachers reps, and facilitate 10 solo financial education presentations.

#4 Speak the local language when we travel abroad to both Italy and China.  We're nervous about this, although we have taken a few months of Rosetta Stone's online lessons in Italian. Ciao!!

#5 Get to know Bronx, NY family members.  That's a side of the family we know very little about, and just as it is a whole lot of us down here, there are tons of cuzzos up there.

#6 Attend a Clemson University (our Alma mater) football game this Fall.

#7 Raise an additional $5000 for Take A Leap webseries with approaching September 1 deadline.

#8 Sell 100 copies of our four short films on DVD or via online.

#9 Establish a financial emergency fund.

#10 Pay down credit cards. It helps that we have 0% interest for more than a year.

#11 Do what we love.  The Holstee Manifesto states that "If you are looking for the love of your life, STOP; they will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love".  Whether in work or play, hopefully we'll both be able to find that special someone.  Sharee's story is in the travel blog section.

#12 End the year in Shanghai, China!!!

These are our 12 goals, both shared and individual.  The year isn't over yet. What do you hope to accomplish??

Public Transportation

My sister and I had a blast in NYC over the weekend during our family gathering. Other than hitting up a few eating spots and entertainment in Times Square, most of our time was spent traveling between shopping districts.  We assisted in shuffling thirty something people from place to place via NYC's ever changing public transportation system.  We did it all.  Train, bus, taxi, and ferry.  And for a directionally challenged individual like myself, the fact that I was able to get around via the various train and bus connections, and understand that the Uptown train takes you to "locations above" & the Downtown train takes you to "locations below" (if you live or ever been to Charlotte, NC...it's the complete opposite...Uptown is actually Downtown & Downtown is actually Uptown) is miraculous. Even after more than a dozen years living here, I still can't get around certain areas in Columbia, SC without my "trusty" GPS. Anyways....

chargrillkiller's photostream via Flickr

So in my wondrous thoughts about the ins and outs of getting around the various international cities we'll be visiting, my mind pondered on a few questions.  Here in America, there tends to be a "stigma" if you utilize public transportation services, but in other countries the train, "tube", bus, etc is the way to go. Are there certain cities where public transportation is acceptable, and others where it is not? Must the population be of a certain size to be "cool" to utilize public transportation? And with recent news in NYC about another subway fare hike, is public transportation becoming less accessible to the masses?  Any thoughts or inputs on the topic, greatly appreciated.

Sharee

Focus Focus ..Time Away ..Refocus

My family is getting together for an upcoming weekend trip to NYC. For some, like my nieces and nephews, it'll be their first time. For others, it's been a while.  We've sketched out an itinerary that will include food, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.  We have been focused on the activities and logistics of the trip for the past year, and in the midst of it all, a relative became seriously ill.  We had to take some time away to deal with her health scare.  But now the weekend is upon us.  Do we cancel the trip? Do we gather at the family home?


It has been decided that the trip will go on. However, some of the family have elected to stay behind.  And that is their choice, as it is those that have decided to continue with the trip.  Though it is best believed, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers will be with our dear Aunt/Sister/Grandma.  She has regained much of her strength, and the Lord has and will continuously watch her day by day.

So we have now refocused our attention back on the trip. The hotel rooms are confirmed. The chartered bus has been paid for. The banquet hall and DJ has been booked.  We're a few days away from embarking on our very first true family gathering outside the state, and we're rolling about 30 persons deep.  Our mother, brother, aunties, cousins, nieces, nephews...fun and laughs for sure during our 12 hour journey from SC to NYC.


With our Take A Leap 10-day trip to Italy a little more than three months away, there is some concern and apprehension.  We have travel insurance because we are utilizing a vacation tour package.  But for those who have made life abroad their "career", I would imagine there is no insurance of this kind.  Further, I've wondered how these expats respond to news at home while they are abroad. Do you hop on the next plane "back to the States" or do you remain focus in your "international home" and pray that everything is settled after awhile? Do you miss out often on major family events..weddings, births, funerals, etc? Is there a right or wrong way to handle such sensitive matters? Do you focus focus, take time away to deal with family matters, and refocus on life at hand, as we have done? I would appreciate any comments or advice.

Thanks,
Sharee

Speak Up!!

Today is Rhonda and my birthday! We've been responding through a slew of Facebook msgs, tweets, emails, and text messages of well wishes.  But only a few well wishes in person.  It made me think of how we've been promoting our new project, Take A Leap. We tend to promote with emails, tweets, and Facebook. Very little by word of mouth. So as we head into a busy weekend that includes flying to Detroit to attend the Glory Reelz Christian Film Festival and then back Sunday to attend our dad's church service and celebrate Mother's Day with our mom, we've both made vows as a part of our birthday wish.  We need to open our mouths and speak up.

Speak up about what we've accomplished in filmmaking. Speak up about the DVDs we are selling. Speak up about our new project, Take A Leap. Speak up about the boy we like. So, I snuck the last one in there, but it served as a point. In speaking up, we are formulating relationships.  We are getting people to trust us, and we them.  Relationships are reciprocal. It's a give and take.  In selling a DVD, we take in $7 and viewers are given a 4 short stories to watch. We take that $7, and give a portion back to God. The viewers take the DVD and share with others. A relationship has developed, and the circle of trust has begun.  Makes sense! Well it does in my mind.

Anyways, the same can be true about speaking up about Take A Leap. Instead of talking about the money , speak more to what we want to experience. We want to experience the life of an entrepreneur with the "power" to create and shape our careers. We want to travel not only for cultural sake, but also with a purpose of sharing inspirational stories of African-American expats not often heard.  For that reason we have narrowed our international abroad locations to Rome, Italy; Florence, Italy; and Shanghai/Beijing, China for our pilot, second, and third episodes.  We'll take some time in Spring/Summer 2013 to promote the three shows in NYC and LA.

These are the experiences we want to share with people not the dollar signs. When we talk to people about Take A Leap, we're developing a relationship with people who are also trying to find their calling in life. Many people  "dream" about a new job, new home, or a new relationship, but fail to speak their "dream" into existence. So I say, shout it to the universe. To anyone that bears to listen.  From day 1 we've been told that our lives are purposeful, and the only life to live is the one we're destined to live. The more we speak up, the more likely it'll catch on, and the support that we'll have will be tremendous. We can't stay quiet any longer!!

Sharee