Filed under: Dr. Boyce Money
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Warren Ballentine is an incredibly dynamic and talented young radio show host and attorney. He has a show on Syndication One that feeds news and information to the community in a special and meaningful way. Given that education and the law are two important factors which affect the lives of African Americans, Warren Ballentine is today's Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:
What is your name and what do you do?
Warren Ballentine, and I am a radio show host and attorney.
What made you become an attorney and what is your professional experience in the law thus far?
I became an attorney because I was charged with a gun case although the gun was not mine. When I went to court, the judge apologized to me and I got off. The lawyer that represented me did a $7,500 case for $500. I asked him if I could do something to repay him and he looked at me and said "do something with your life, that's how you can repay me." At that point I wanted to be a lawyer so I could help people. Thus far in the law my specialty has been criminal defense, bankruptcy and child support. I know a little about other areas but I am not an expert in them.
Tell us about your show? How did you get it and what is its purpose?
My show is "
The Warren Ballentine Show," and it's nationally syndicated in over 30 markets and on Sirius XM. On my show we deal with everything!!! Politics, religion, sex, relationships, sports, medical news and the law. The purpose of my show is two fold: To inform and to find solutions.
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Before They Were Famous
Jennifer Lopez: Legal Assistant
From 2spare.com: "Long before Jennifer Lopez sang, danced and acted her way to superstardom, she briefly traded in her velour tracksuit for a suit of the pin-striped variety while working at a law office."
It's hard to imagine someone as driven as Jennifer Lopez being an assistant, but J.Lo paid her dues by helping her bosses meet their goals. It's hard for anybody to put others first, but that's what assistants do in every field. They deserve to be appreciated for this.
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Before They Were Famous
Mary J. Blige is known for her creatively coiffed crown of hair for good reason...
Before They Were Famous
Mary J. Blige:
At-Home Hairdresser
From Starpulse.com: "Blige spent the first few years of her life in Savannah, GA, before moving with her mother and older sister to the Schlobam housing projects in Yonkers, NY. Her rough life there produced more than a few scars, physical and otherwise, and Blige dropped out of high school her junior year, instead spending time doing her friends' hair in her mother's apartment and hanging out."
Mary started to make her own way in the world in a profession that many take for granted. The at-home hairdresser is a very important staple of many communities, as she uses her skills to help women who can't afford a professional salon to stay pampered and beautiful. We salute you!
Before They Were Famous
Denzel Washington is no stranger to the hair business himself...
Before They Were Famous
Denzel Washington: Barber
From Tiscali: "It's often been said that the boy picked up his desire to act from the flamboyant communication that went on around him at this time. He certainly picked up a desire to work - the family ethic was very strong - and young Denzel found himself labouring in barber shops and beauty parlours from the age of 11."
The neighborhood barber is an important institution in many communities. Even though they don't get paid much, men's salons are like private social clubs that allow them to relax and connect at an affordable price. Workers in these establishments not only groom the body -- they soothe the soul.
Before They Were Famous
Ellen is known for her dancing, but she used to be a different kind of mover back in the day...
Before They Were Famous
Ellen Degenres: Car Wash Driver
From CareerBuilder.com: "I actually liked my first job. I was driving cars out of a car wash, you know, once the car comes out, you get in and you wipe it. That was exciting to me to drive the nice cars and wipe down the [dashboard] with Emerald."
We often take for granted all the folks at the local war wash. They may be working for little more than tips, but they keep our cars clean and fresh, making a huge positive impact on our daily lives.
Before They Were Famous
Jennifer Lopez has displayed a high level of discipline and organization in plotting her megastar career. She must have learned those skills during one of her first jobs...
Before They Were Famous
Jennifer Lopez: Legal Assistant
From 2spare.com: "Long before Jennifer Lopez sang, danced and acted her way to superstardom, she briefly traded in her velour tracksuit for a suit of the pin-striped variety while working at a law office."
It's hard to imagine someone as driven as Jennifer Lopez being an assistant, but J.Lo paid her dues by helping her bosses meet their goals. It's hard for anybody to put others first, but that's what assistants do in every field. They deserve to be appreciated for this.
Before They Were Famous
Before Angela Bassett became a huge star in front of the camera, she earned her living doing business on the other side of the lens...
Before They Were Famous
Angela Bassett:
Photo Researcher
From Yuddy.com: "After working as a beauty salon receptionist and photo researcher, Bassett got started with her acting career in New York Theater, after which she landed her first role-as a prostitute-in the 1985 TV movie 'Doubletake,' starring Richard Crenna and Beverly D'Angelo. The following year she landed her first official film role as a TV reporter in 'F/X.'"
Whenever we look at a magazine, or in a book with pictures, we are seeing the work of some one like Bassett in her early career. We never think of the faceless, nameless men and women who look for all the photos that illustrate concepts, news and ideas in every facet of our daily lives, ranging from Web sites to education. But every one of those photos was hand-selected by someone, most often an anonymous, but dedicated and not-too-well-paid pro. What would life be like without all the hundreds of pictures we enjoy every day?
Before They Were Famous
How has being an attorney helped with the challenges of being a black man in America?
Being an attorney has helped in one big way: I can educate my people about this legal system that is designed to incarcerate and tear down the poor in this country.
Do you have any advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Don't do it! LOL, just kidding. Just get into law school -- if it's not Harvard do not worry, just get in and get that JD. It will open up all kinds of doors. Education is the great equalizer in this country.
What issues do you believe to be most pressing in black America today?
We have to learn MONEY. We think of money as either BIG MONEY or broke! Well it's a lot in between. Let's take a corner store in the heart of the projects. There are 40,000 people who have access to that store. If just 10,000 of them spend $100 a month, it will make $1 million a month, and $12 million a year. We must also target how we use our money as a community. I have gotten my listeners to deposit over $850,000 in Mechanics and Farmers bank.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL Black Voices audience?
Yes. 2011 will be a year in which we must all pay close attention to the attacks on black leaders. I say that because some people do not want another four years from the current administration. Also, we must learn to love each other and stop dividing ourselves based religion, skin color, education or wealth and understand that we are all in this together. I have a motto I live by: "Push me and I will pull you. If I pull and you push, once I get to the top of the mountain, I am not looking down on you and you are not looking up at me, because we are side by side."
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here.