Lessons We Can Learn From Nat King Cole

As we continue to give honor during Black History Month, today we honor Nat King Cole.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of Nat King Cole’s death.  At the age of 45 he died in 1965 of lung cancer.  Cole started performing at the age of 15 when he left school to pursue a career as a jazz pianist, and later became a pop singer. In 1937 while performing, a club owner gave him the name Nat "King" Cole.  Later he became the first black television presenter and hosted "The Nat King Cole Show” until 1957.  The show was a nationally aired 15-minute weekly variety show that was eventually cancelled due to lack of advertisers willing to sponsor a show hosted by a black man.   Cole's career proved that whites didn't have a monopoly on sophistication through his versatility in his performances.  Some African Americans felt Cole didn't support the civil rights movement, due to the fact that he declared he was an entertainer, not an activist.  Today we celebrate the life of Nat King Cole.  While he was not a political advocate, he indirectly advocated as he led his life to pursue his goals at all cost.  That’s the type of determination this generation needs to have in pursuing positive goals.

I'm not playing for other musicians.  We're trying to reach the guy who works all day and wants to spend a buck at night. ~ Nat King Cole

Not only can we learn a lesson on music and determination from Nat King Cole, but also one of knowing your target market.  Above is a quote from Nat King Cole about the audience he was appealing to.  When you know your target market, you know how to display your talent and make it successful, and that is what Nat King Cole did.  Nat King Cole was able to silence the critics because he knew they weren’t his true audience.  When you are motivated to achieve your goals, you shouldn’t let anyone who isn’t involved in your success stop you from getting there. Nat King Cole set his target market and received success in his career by focusing to satisfy those who sought his craft.

Saluting Oprah Winfrey for Black History Media Success

This week B.M.M.O. Consulting salutes Oprah Winfrey and her media contributions.  On this day, 26 years ago, Oprah Winfrey became the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show.  She started off from humble beginnings but now has her OWN network.  She ended her talk show this past summer, she left the city of Chicago behind and established a television network titled the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in California.  Because of her, other African American women such as Tyra Banks, Wendy Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Monique were able to host their own shows also.  Tyra Banks started her own production company and in 2003 she premiered her fashion model search show, America's Next Top Model, this show is still in production today.  In 2005 she put on her talk show host hat and debut her self-entitled show, The Tyra Banks Show, this show stayed on the air until 2010. Wendy Williams started out as a radio DJ in 1989 and then started her daytime talk show in 2008, the Wendy Williams Show.  The Wendy Williams show is still on the air going strong, she has also appeared on Dancing with the Stars.  Whoopi Goldberg, who is an Oscar winner, hosted her talk show for a year between 1992 and 1993; she is now a co-host on ABC's The View. After having a few movie roles and TV sitcoms, in 2009 Monique also explored the world of talk show hosts.  Her show aired on BET during the late night, and stayed on for two years.  There are many other women and men that had their path opened for them because of the opportunity given to Oprah Winfrey.  She came before them and made it all possible.  These five women have accomplished several great achievements.  This should be encouragement to us all that with handwork and dedication there is nothing we can't achieve! 

Women's Rights of the Past and the Future

On this day in 1862 Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born.  Ida B. Wells-Barnett was an anti-lynching crusader, suffragist, women's rights advocate, journalist and speaker.  We will highlight her journalistic and speaking journey.  She got her journalist start by writing about her railroad experience when she was forcefully moved from a railroad car.  Papers geared to African Americans and Christians were eager to read her writings.  In Chicago, she helped develop numerous African American and reform organizations.  She was one of two African American women to sign "the call" to form the NAACP in 1909.  She died in 1931 and was known as a radical who dedicated her life to crusading for justice.

Fast-forward to today, the blog For Harriet exemplifies some of the same missions that Ida B. Wells-Barnett set out to achieve.  For Harriet's blog is for Black women aged 25-65.  The purpose is to provide new, diverse perspectives on what it means to be a Black woman in the 21st century.  Their mission is to inspire, educate and entertain their readers.  The blog publishes articles that allows the Black woman to see herself in a positive light and embrace who she is despite the challenges she faces.  The postings are educational, informative and a step in the right direction for shinning a positive light on Black women, Ida B. Wells-Barnett would be proud.