GI (God's Image) BGA Entertainment/Black Smoke

GI (God’s Image) BGA Entertainment/Black Smoke

Branden, Curtis, Lamonte and Marlon are their names. They are not only group members, but brothers, having grown up together. They are singers, dancers, songwriters, and musicians. It is rare that you find all of these talents wrapped up into one unit. Collectively they are known as, G.I., which stands for God’s Image. Together for 10 years, the group has garnered a fan base across the country. With performances at major venues and at events such as The World Famous Apollo Theater, The Verizon Center, The Bobby Jones Gospel Artist Retreat, and GMWA Conventions the group has began making a name for themselves.

“Get Up” is the first single and video from G.I.’s highly anticipated debut album. The video was shot in Richmond, Virginia and features relatives of G.I. and locals dancing along to the song. BET star producer, Tia Smith of Talented Sol Productions and R&B video director, Bobby Yan, produced “Get Up”. Yan’s music video for Louisiana rapper Hurricane Chris, entitled “A Bay Bay”, was one of the top ten videos of the year in 2007.

G.I.’s full-length album was released on April 7, 2009. Mostly Produced by Derek Clark for Hitland Entertainment and Written mostly by members of G.I., “GOD’S IMAGE” (the CD) has something for everyone, including teenagers, young adults, and the grown and mature audience. It embraces various styles of gospel music, including contemporary and traditional. In addition to “Get Up,” their contemporary-meets-traditional smash hit “Something Got A Hold of Me” was produced by veteran musician Gorden Campbell with vocal production by Derek Clark. Campbell has played for the who’s who in the music industry with a stellar list that includes: Earth, Wind & Fire, Mary J. Blige, George Duke, Jessica Simpson and Neyo to name a few.

“Temptation” is another cut from the CD that will undeniably be another fan favorite. Find out more about G.I. by checking out their internet reality show “GI’s Journey” by visiting www.youtube.com/gisjourney. The show takes viewers behind the scenes as the group travels on the road, hits radio stations, and performs live.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

King of Kings

The Kings of Rock, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Soul, and now Pop are all gone; but the King of Kings still sits high and looks low, and He will heal us all as we mourn.

- Derrick L. Wade

McDonald's - Discrimination Against the Homeless

Mortified is a fragment of what I felt while purchasing breakfast at a McDonald's located in an affluent area of Los Angeles, CA.  A patron of the restaurant purchased a meal for a homeless person and asked that the meal be given to the homeless when they came in to the counter.  The manager of the location was taking the order and received payment for same.  When asked to give the meal to the homeless person when they came inside, the manager advised the patron that they would have to take to the meal the outside because the homeless were not allowed in the restaurant.  The patron strategically asked a series of questions to all of which the manager finally responded, "That's what they told me, I can not serve the homeless."  The patron tried to reason with the manager for awhile, but ultimately gave up due to frustration and since of bewilderment at such a discriminating policy.

In this grave economic climate, with more and more people becoming unemployed and the escalating numbers of those being displaced, one would think that an International Corporation like McDonald's would at best have a program in place to feed the homeless on a regular basis.  And certainly, at least be feed a homeless person for whom a meal has been paid.  Needless to say, I will be writing correspondence to Andrew McKenna, Chairman of the Board and to the Board of Directors at large.   They need to be reminded that we are all but a tragedy away from being in the same place as the homeless women that was refused service this morning.  

- There but for the grace of God, go I. (John Bradford)

VISION

I had a conversation with a very dear friend this week with respect to vision. While speaking with him at 10:30pm (he was still at the office) I was led to encourage him to rekindle his quest to be an entrepreneur rather than an employee. He has become comfortable with the plush salary, awesome benefits package, and perks second to none; nonetheless, he was still void of fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment. I challenged him to revisit that which he was holding on to but was yet to manifest - his VISION. His total fulfillment was certain NOT to come until he had walked in that which he was called do and that which he was called to be.

I was only able to encourage him to dust-off, revisit and implement his VISION because I had just had a meeting of minds with that consortium consisting of me, myself and I as recent as last week. All to often we are given divine revelation with respect to what which God has called us to do and be, and in a moment of panic, we let go of the vision that He has given...all because the vision tarries. This is certainly no coincidence, it is the strategic attack of the enemy trying to abort the vision. And your particular vision has been targeted because he knows how powerful it will be if its manifestation were to come forth.

With that mental overhaul and tune-up last week, I received more than enough to remind me that I am more than conqueror, to be steadfast, be persistent, and that it shall come to pass!

Here are a few steps that may help in the fulfillment of your VISION:

VISUALIZE the implementation of the VISION. Visualizing is creating a mental picture in your mind as to how the project, business, goal etc. looks. If you can see success, then you will be able to achieve success.

WRITE IT DOWN. Take your vision or goal and put on paper. When you write your goals down you are serious in making a commitment to achieve them.

DEVELOP A PLAN. A plan is essential for your success, you can not achieve your goals without one.

TAKE ACTION. Take your plans and break them into small accomplishable steps. That way you have no excuse not to take action.

HOLD ON AND PERSIST. Success comes to those that hold while others let go. so continue to hold on and persist until you achieve success.