Every Talent is Meant to be Shared
Freeman Howard is a great spirit filled with energy and sass. He is a force to be reckoned with and will not allow any tell him that he isn’t “IT”. With so much passion and confidence we can all learn that being ourselves is the only way we can really be happy. Enjoy the content below to learn about some of Howard’s trials and tribulations that made him who he is today.
“Somebody will always be there to help you, find help”- Freeman Howard
Darren Parrish Hicks
Hometown: Voorhese, New Jersey
University: Cheyney University
Major: Political Science and English
I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Darren Hicks and learning some of his college experiences which led him to the career he loves. Darren gives us some feedback on the troublesome start he had with initially getting into school and tells us how he overcome that obstacle. He gives great advice and words on for students who may not pursue what they went to school for or are undecided with what major they wish to study. The interview below gives you some inside information on Hicks and what’s made him the successful young entrepreneur he is today.
On the left we have Ella Fitzgerald known as the “The first lady of song”. Fitzgerald was known as the first African American woman to win a Grammy award. In her lifetime she sold a total of 40 million albums and earned 13 Grammys. To the right we have Beyoncé Knowles-Carter who has won 28 Grammy’s, the most for any female artist. Beyonce has also sold over 118 million albums making her one of the best selling artist of all time. ” In 2001 Beyoncé won Song writer of the Year award at the American Society of Composers, and Publishers pop music awards. The award prestigious in its own right, came with two marks of distinction. Beyoncé was the second woman to ever win it, and she was the first African American woman to attain the honor” (Dylan, P. (2007). Beyoncé. The Rosen Publishing Group).
Earl Lloyd is the first African American male to play in the NBA. Lloyd was an All American at West Virginia University before entering joining the NBA. His first game was the season opener for Washington Capitols. LeBron James is the second most decorated basketball player in NBA history after Micheal Jordan. James is a 4 time MVP with 4 championships.
Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry better known as Stephin Fetchit is the first African American actor to have a successful career. Fetchit became the first African American actor to become a millionaire. He played in a total of 44 films. Tyler Perry is a successful actor, producer, and screen writer. In 2011 Perry was listed as the highest paid man in entertainment.
Wilma Rudolph became the “fastest women in the world” winning the gold medals in one Olympics. Rudolph competed in the 100 meter-dash, 4×100 meter-dash, 200 meter- dash, making her the most known black woman in the United States. Allyson Felix has won athlete of the year a total of 5 times carrying with a total of six gold medals and three silver, making her the most decorated female track and field Olympian of all time.
Joseph Rainey was the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and second African American person to serve in the United States Congress. Rainey spent more than 8 years in the House working to pass civil rights legislation, fund public schools, and guarantee equal protection under the law. Barack Obama served as the 44th presidents of the United States. During his presidency he ended the 2008 Recession, reformed health care, raised fuel efficiency standards, and the list goes on.
Wow, starting Rowan’s Got Talent I was really nervous I was going to fall into the same position I was before when I made my very first website which was, inconsistent, not very well content, and unorganized. With this website I really tried my best to remain interesting and bring unique content that made my viewers intrigued in new activities. I would say that i’m actually pretty proud of how I ran this website especially when comparing it to my last one. Though my website wasn’t completely perfect and fell short in some area’s I do believe I tried my best to run Rowan’s Got Talent the best way I can. I was excited to share much more wonderful activities that took place on our campus but due to Covid-19 I was not able to post everything I had in store. Overall Rowan’s Got Talent introduced me into to new people and things that I wouldn’t have once known if it weren’t for my interviewee’s. I hope that this website brought to you the same amount of entertainment and knowledge as it brought me. Thank you for being so loyal. Peace out 🙂
Deron is a starting point guard on the Cheyney University Basketball team studying political science. Deron’s season was unfortunately cut short due to the covid-19. He tells us about how this virus has affected his senior year immensely from not being able to play a championship game to not being able to walk across the stage. Deron tells us a heart crushing about story that reveals how important this season was to him.
This week I had the awesome opportunity to interview Mackenzi Brown a 19 year old Howard University student with a talent for creative writing. Mackenzi talks about how her interest was sparked for creative writing and what makes her so passionate about it. She dives deep into a story about how she wrote something risky and expected backlash from it but actually received praise. Mackenzi is a writer that filled with energy and personality and it’s show throughout this whole interview check it out below!
I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing with Kevin Croston recently this weekend . Kevin is a senior at Kean University who enjoys vlogging about video Games, vacations, and first time experiences. Kevin is 21 years old originally from Manhattan, New York but now resides in Plainfield, New Jersey. He shares with us his journey of becoming an rising Youtuber influencer. Kevin talks about the challenges he’s faced and what motivates his videos.
What sparked Kevin’s interest to become a Youtuber
-“So it all started off as a hobby where I would post here and there, it really started back senior year of high school. I had my first channel that I would upload gaming stuff that I played with my friends and the channel got up there, but then it got taken down so I had to start from square one.”
Staying unique from other Youtuber’s is a challenge
-” I like to highlight big moments say for instance, If I go somewhere for the first time or family travels. I also enjoy post stuff that I buy recently. I post reaction videos of stuff of find funny on the daily say for instance, if there is a funny tik tok video. Gaming videos of course for the people who maybe be stuck at something or curious how to fix or do something I make videos assisting them on how to do it. Such as if a gamer can’t figure out how to get pass a certain level I will make a video showing them what they need to achieve in order to move on to the next level of the game. “
He’s been Youtubing for quite some time.
-“I wouldn’t even say I’ve been doing Youtube how I really want to in a sense of I have goals that I want to accomplish but since 2016. I still wanna reach bigger things with Youtube.”
Some videos receive higher reviews than others
-” Quick story I got my first car and decided to record a little video not thinking anything of it because I didn’t get the full aspect of recording while at the dealership. I uploaded a reaction video and surprisingly enough people started watching it more and more. And it’s now one of my top videos on my Youtube.” Check out this video here.
There’s many challenges that come with being a Youtuber
-“Challenges I face is coming up with unique content that will make my video’s standout. And also when I do my videos I find it difficult trying to execute them fully. Choosing what should stay in the video and what should go. Trying to display my personality but also give my viewers what they came here for. I do have to worry about people judging me for the things I say or do, and it makes you feel like your in your own bubble which is ultimately restricting me.”
Youtube is a very entertaining hobby to have
-” If you ask me Youtubing is the best job you could ask for. You can say and do what you want to a certain extent but also create your own recording times and frame when you record and when you want to upload it. I also get to be my own goofy self. “
Some advice Kevin would give people interested in Youtubing would be
“- Be consistent don’t worry about viewership and don’t think of it as a job think of it as a hobby or something you like doing just letting people into your life in little fragments. And lastly be yourself because originality is the best kind of content. “
This week I had the opportunity to meet with Taidora, an aspiring artist and photographer at Rowan University . In 2019 she decided to turn her doodles into paintings and came to realize that painting is her passion. Taidora always saw herself as owning her own business and being her own boss and with her new found talent she plans to do just that. She now has her own small painting business Vtatelaya where she paints custom acrylic paintings for her buyers. We sat down and talked about what inspires her paintings, why she paints, and how she had the opportunity to paint a portrait of a well known celebrity.
Tell me a little about yourself.
“My name is Taidora. I’m from Irvington New Jersey, my major major is Business Management. My talent is Art I do acrylic painting and I’ve been doing it fully and consistently for about a year. “
What inspired you to begin your painting journey? When did you began taking your talent seriously?
“This is interesting question just because I would always doodle when I was little and I was always a visionary learner, so everything and how I would be taught would be through pictures. It just was always something that I just did but never took serious until recently. A little over a year I actually took it seriously because people wanted to buy some of the things I made for fun, so I was like okay and then I started getting orders and I was like hmm i’m starting to get money so let me start doing this and investing into it. That’s how it all started.”
What are themes/style you enjoy painting ?
What are some of your favorite things about art?
“My favorite things about art is just simply the ability to create something that someone has never seen before also, I just love the conversation and the people that you know comes around that realm. Usually when you’re an artist you talk to other people who possibly do music your fully emergence into the creative world and you really really that that’s everything and that everyone cares about entertainment and visuals. So that’s my absolute favorite thing is just that it is everything.”
What are somethings you dislike about art?
“I’ve never been asked this question, things I dislike would be the consistency factor you wanna remain consistent to still be relevant however, one of my biggest struggles is putting out the same energy and intention to each of my pieces and still being consistent. Right now i’m going through a break because nothing is coming to mind, like essentially what you would call writers block. That’s the thing I dislike because if your not on top of your toes you will be forgotten but, you kind of need sometime to yourself to put out the same quality pieces.
Can you tell me the story about how you got to paint a portrait for FatBoy?
Click hear to listen to the story about how she painted a portrait for Fatboy
How would you say you art has changed overtime?
“My art definitely has changed DRASTICALLY ,it definitely changed mainly because of my mental how I viewed it definitely changed because I took it more serious. When I took it a lot more serious I was a lot more patient with it and I hyper focused on details. Now I care more about crispness, cleanness, and precision more so than before I cared more about idea and creative aspect. Now being that i’m more comfortable with the creative aspects and stuff like that now it’s just all about keeping my work consistent and clean. You can see that difference now if you were to compare what I did last month to last year.”
Tell me about a piece you’ve painted that related to your real life?
“One of my first large pieces it was a 30 by 40, and a little small little background abut me I was raised by a single dad and I have my brother. So i’m just use to having black men in my life so I wanted to do a piece dedicated to black men. “
Listen to Taidora talk about what prompted her to paint this piece.
What is your next big project that you want to do?
“My next big thing , taking like huge leap I want to do piece for a very nice hotel. I would love to… it doesn’t even have to be particularly a hotel I just want a larger company to see something in my art that they would want implement in their business. So it could be a car dealership it could be anything in that realm, but I think that what I need to have as my next step because you know doing art and commissioning and things like is fun but I think working with other companies and stuff like that would really signify to me that I made it. Because anybody can say I want this but to have it be something that is originally mine and companies are interested in that , that’s what I really want. “
Here at Rowan, our university offers you a plethora of platforms that allows you to express yourself and your interests. I would say that Rowan does a pretty good job at trying to maintain diversity on campus so that every student feels welcomed. Rowan’s art program focuses on musical arts, theater arts, dance ,and also visual arts. Events hosted by organizations like RAH,SUP,SOCA, SGA, and many other organizations offer students a chance to let loose have fun and show your interest and talents. These are a few clubs, programs and organizations here at Rowan that I find are very easy to reveal talents and commonalities you have with others .
This program allows students to put their talents into action whether they want to be musical educators, composers, music industry professionals, audio engineers and producers, and or students seeking a liberal focus on music. The department offers some of the best educators around mainly because they have a substantial amounts of experience in the industry of music whether it is producing songs that played on the radio or have had their very own musical career at some point. Recording service are also available in this department such as Multi track studio recording ,Streaming,mixing or post-production, rehearsal recording and etc. So if you’re looking to broadening your experience or even want some where to practice your craft in music the music department is for you and also located in Wilson Hall.
From personal experiences Rowan’s theater arts and dance program is very impressive. The theatre arts and dance program is mainly for students who are interested in the obvious theater arts but also for students who aspire to be choreographer, dancers , movie actor/actress,and etc. The program host many plays and musicals throughout the semester that allows students to showcase their talents to not only their classroom but the entire Rowan students and staff. With this degree/ program you do have to auditions to be apart of the magic. But what many people may not know is that it focuses on four different concentrations which are Acting, Musical Theatre, Design/Technical ,and Pre-Teaching. Which is providing you with various insights of the craft.
3.) Profs Spotlight
Prof’s spotlight is an event hosted by SCCA (Student center campus activities) that allows students to come out and perform in Profs place. Giving students a chance to perform their vocal, acoustic and poetry talents in front of a crowd. Profs spotlight happens ever first Monday of the month from 9 pm-12 pm. This is a great opportunity for students to perform for their very first time or even build a fan base. A perfect event for you to come out perform watch other performers and also eat.
4.) RAH
RAH( Rowan After Hours) is an organization that host many activities and events for the students. Their goal is to encourage activeness around the campus and provide an environment that influences diversity and safe and welcoming activities. RAH host so many different events such as karaoke nights, paint and sips (non alcoholic drinks of course), poetry nights and many more that really brings the students together to create a great time. RAH events are so fun because everyone there is having a good time whether they’re the worst painter in the world or a Micheal Angelo. And from my own personal experiences RAH hosted events could potentially help you find new hobbies and a new niche you never knew you’ve had. This organization introduces you to many different activities that you may have never heard of or even considered which is what makes the experience so incredible.
5.) Rowan Athletics
If your talent doesn’t fall in between the lines of “arts” and you’re more so interested in the sports you should definitely consider being apart of Rowan Athletics. Rowan has numerous different NCAA sports, Intramural sports, and Club sports to offer. Say you really like basketball but you don’t want to be on the NCAA basketball team because it takes to much time and you really wanna focus on school. Rowan offers a intramural basketball team every fall semester. You would only have to practice as much as you would like and also you can pick your own teams. Playing NCCA sports is the highest level of sports at Rowan and our teams are all pretty great. We have tons of NJAC championships and tons of talented student athletes who have won national championships. The greatest part about Rowan Athletics is numerous amounts of talents and the friendships that are build within the teams.
Hi everyone my name is Dajai’ McClellan. I’m currently a senior at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. I’m studying Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism. I decided to create Rowan’s Got Talent to highlight the many different talents that roams around my campus. Often we don’t get a chance to just sit back and admire the creativity and uniqueness of other individuals because we are so focused on ourselves and school. My goal for the website it to provide a platform that brings opportunities to those of us who have similar areas of interest. A lot of times we miss opportunities that occur right in front our faces and with that being so I want to bring attention to Rowan’s very own successors. With that being said you can expect my post to spotlight various people that I find have a talent that is worth sharing such as musicians , acting , drawling and other things of that nature. I hope my website can be used as a source of networking with others and creating relationships build off commonalities. I look forward to introducing you into the lives, hard work and dedication of Rowan’s talented students.
Rowan's Got Talent 