What Had Happened Wuz . . .

A TRT "My Hood Story" Exclusive
Denise Milligan - In Her Own Words

Denise "Niecey" Milligan, 21 of Landover MD

By "The Real" Jeff Stewart

I come across a lot of interesting people in my travels and “Niecey” was no exception. With a chip on her shoulder, (make that a block of wood) this chick don’t play. I met Denise at Black Bike Week in Myrtle Beach, SC. We struck up a conversation because both our trucks had MD tags. I asked her what high school she had attended and she told me Fairmont Heights, located in a suburb of Washington DC. By coincidence The same high school 4ward Entertainment Mgmt CEO and my college classmate Rick Lee attended. I had gone to Largo Sr High in Upper Marlboro, MD; another DC suburb (many, many, many years ago.) Denise graduated from Fairmont Heights in 2006, and she started telling me stories of life for her in high school, and how much hell she raised. Now her two younger sisters were students at the same high school. They were having problems with some of the same cliques big sis had run-ins with when she was a student. So Niecey told me one day she decided to go up to the school and “set them b*tches straight.” Well, I’ll let her tell you “What Had Happened.” This is her story . . .

What Had Happened Wuz . . .
A True Tale from the hood By Denise Milligan

In January 2008 I got locked up on my mother’s birthday. What had happened was my younger sister called me up to my old high school, Fairmont Heights because some of the girls I had problems with when I was in school was picking with them. When I got to the school I wanted to talk to my old principal and ask her why after all these years these girls keep picking with my sisters? But she had me waiting too damn long. So I went down to the cafeteria to see if my sisters were in there and they was. When I walked in the cafeteria all you heard was "all sh*t Denise here." I spoke to some of the staff & students & asked them where my sisters were. I’m thinking to myself “let one of these b*tches pop off while I'm in here and I'm going to beat their banana asses today!” So I guess one of the girls I had problems with felt intimidated or should I say bold & started talking sh*t while walking towards me. I stopped & turned around to see who she was talking to and to my surprise it was me!

By then my sisters were standing by me. When (the girl) got close enough she found the balls to swing at me but she missed. How do you swing on somebody & miss!? So when she did that I just went into my mode (?) and saw red. Just as I was about to swing back at her my 18 year old sister just flew out the nowhere & caught her with a blow to the face and so did I. I guess these others girls felt like fighting my sisters so they jumped in as well. As I’m beating the first girls ass that swung on me I’m saying to her "yeah b*tch I got that ass now!"

By now people had their phones out taking pictures and recording it. Not one of her friends jumped in it. Then I started beating the 2nd girl’s ass and saying to her "so you want an ass whooping like your punk ass friend to huh!? All of a sudden I saw this big ass object coming towards me on my right side. When I realized that it was this big ass, no a HUGE girl I swear everything went into slow motion like in the movies. I’m saying to myself "noooooo." So I stopped on the 2nd girl and caught the big chick with a couple shots to the face. After a little workout with the 3rd girl – I was punching and kicking her big ass - I was saying to her "you f*cking b*tch, ain’t nobody tell your big ass to jump in" and I knocked her out.

Next thing I know me & my sisters are being grabbed by security. My principal was trying to get smart while I was in the security office so I said to her "well b*tch if you knew how to diffuse problems in your school then I wouldn’t have to come up here and beat b*tches ass." Next thing I knew one of the school’s female security officers that I respected and I was so cool with was like "I’m sorry to do this to you baby girl, but I need for you to remove this that and the 3rd". The whole time I was cool with the situation because she was doing her job & I did my job by beating up some of the girls I could not stand with a passion.

As I’m walking out the security room some of the students were like "damn Denise, they locking you up?" Me being me I busted out laughing and said "yeah they locking me up." So I guess that pissed the police officer off so he said me "so you think its funny?" and I said "hell yeah!” I went to jail and got processed but I didn’t have to take a picture and then I waited to see a commissioner. While I was waiting this female inmate was cussing out an officer and then she crapped and pissed on herself. I was like "OMG....no she didn’t just do that!” Then the inmate says to the officers "hey come clean my sh*t up & wipe my ass!" Everybody started laughing like crazy in the jail. But while I was waiting to be seen I was hungry like hell. They gave us these dry sandwiches. I looked at it and was like "what the hell am I going to do with this?” So instead I used the sandwiches as a pillow.

I was praying asking God please let the commissioner be a male and damn surely it was. So he let me off on PR (personal release) for those who don’t know what PR is. I didn’t get home till 12 midnight and was in the jail since 10 that morning. My main charge was 2nd degree assault but when I went to court twice for it my charge it was dismissed. My experience going to jail was wild but I damn surely DO NOT - I repeat DO NOT want to go back. I wasn’t scared at all but jail is not for me or anybody.

People say in life think before you react but if you’re in the moment like I was all that flies out the door. However pretty much don’t do something that might cost you to lose your freedom. So that’s what had happened . . .

* Editor’s Note *

When I first heard Denise’s story I thought this would make a funny hood story for the “What Had Happened Wuz...” section of TRT Magazine. I let a couple folks read the rough draft and one of the comments was how sad that situation was. “Damn it” I thought to myself; now I gotta take this funny sh*t and turn it into some kind of social commentary on the struggles people face everyday in the “hood”.
So the questions we should ask ourselves is why is this accepted as everyday life in some communities, how do we change that mindset and what is the aftermath when a situation like this occurs? Obviously I’m not going to solve such a complex issue here. I just want people to think about how this affects their community. I believe that for the most part people are victims of their environment and that a person is molded by their surroundings, their own experiences and those of the people around them. So how does someone living this life break the chain?
Denise appeared to be a bright, intelligent young woman who grew up in a difficult environment. The manner in which she told her story was funny and (unfortunately) entertaining. She definitely showed some skill in that area. I can only imagine what positive things four years of college might do for her. Although Niecey told her story with humor and honesty, she wants it understood that jail is no laughing manner. And while she pointed out the difficulty of making the right decision in the heat of the moment, she acknowledges the sometimes severe reality of not doing so. So in the aftermath let’s look at the negative impact these situations can have. Let’s take for example a typical job application. Every application has that standard question “Have you ever been arrested?” The choices we make… well you know the rest - and thats for REAL !

This copyrighted article, its contents and pictures are the exclusive property of TRT Publications and may not be used without its consent. For comments, questions, more information permission to use this material contact “The Real” Jeff Stewart” at trtpub@gmail.com. Subscribers to this site will be notified by e-mail when new posts are available.

My President is BLACK? (c)

“The Real” Jeff Stewart


Let’s get one thing straight. Barrack H. Obama is the President of the United States of America. He’s NOT the President of African America. Don’t get it twisted. Of course I think race relations in the United States will improve under his administration. Hopefully just his presence as our Nations leader will cause some people to revisit there way of thinking. At least I hope so, especially in the south where I live now.

I was born in Washington DC in the late 50’s. I lived in Southeast Washington with both parents until I was 17, when my parents moved to the suburbs of Prince Georges County. I went to college, and in 1990 I got married and remained in P.G. County until 2005, when my wife and I move to her hometown of Savannah, GA. There were several reasons why we moved “down south”. Mostly the stereotypical want of a better lifestyle; lower cost of living, less crime and stress. You know the deal. Well we’re still looking for that, and we may have to move back to DC to find it! Go figure. Anyway I’m not really into politics, but of course I was thrilled with the idea of having a legitimate African American candidate for President. I voted for the first time in my life, and I actually felt like my vote counted. Do I need to say I’m African American? Okay, I am African American.

So When Barrack H. Obama was elected the 44th President of The United States of America I texted several friends, associates, family members, etc asking how they felt about our new President. I got several responses, all positive. Everyone I texted was Black. However the response that was the motivation for this article was “I’m gonna get my grind on now. “ It was from a young lady, African American, unemployed and living at home in the suburbs of Washington DC with her mom and siblings. Now even at “fiddy” years old I understand urban slang, Ebonics, etc. But I thought to myself, what the hell does that mean? Is she going to look for a job now? Maybe be motivated to go to college? Get her own place? Get out of bed before noon? I mean, how does being Black, and having a Black President motivate someone who was unmotivated to be a contributing member of society? What, she didn’t want to work because ”W” was President? If John McCain had won would she not work for the next four years, or God forbid the next 8 years?

Listen up Black people. President Obama is not going to pass a law giving every African American a high paying job, good credit, a home, or 40 acres and a mule. Will non-blacks be more open minded to giving people of Color opportunities that they might not of in the past? I think so. But I don’t think anybody from the government is going to knock on your door and say “would you like one of them high paying jobs we giving out to Black people today?” You feel me homie? Hey but thanks Uncle Sam for the stimulus checks. Oh, forgot; you had to have a job and pay taxes and stuff to qualify for that and that came from “W” (George Bush) anyway. My bad. By the way, the Obama administration did knock on an associate’s of mine door and offered him one of those high paying government jobs. Wait a minute. My associate has a college degree, several, in fact, had been a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps, and can pass a background and drug test. Hmm, details, details.

Here’s where it get’s interesting. I think Barrack Obama will benefit White America more than Black America as a whole. What? Let me explain. I think that the housing market and the stock will rebound under the current administration. Although I don’t think the turnaround will be strictly because of a Black or Democratic President. But Obama will get the credit for at least the start of the recovery. Companies are doing the things now they should have been doing all along. Streamlining their various operations, reducing staff through attrition and buyouts, closing or selling unprofitable businesses, and so on. Of course they are outright laying people off too. Since the housing market crash seemed to be the catalyst for this economic downturn, it will probably lead the recovery. So people buying homes now at the deflated prices, as well as those who maintained equity in their current homes will benefit. Also as the stock market rebounds, those participating in retirement plans such as 401k plans will benefit from the markets rebound as well. I know many retirement plans lost money, but I think only the most speculative accounts lost everything. Also many employers provide matching contributions, so you would have had to lose a whole hellava lot to lose yours and your employers match as well. Personally my 401k is down 18%; however my employer matches my contribution dollar for dollar so do the math. Okay I do it for you – I haven’t lost a dime of my own money.

So how can the African American community directly benefit from having an African American President? YOU CAN’T!! But you can benefit from the rebound in the economy when it happens. So the obvious question is how? Thought you’d never ask. First of all some business’s that will BE in business probably went overboard in cutting staffing. So as the economy rebounds, these same businesses will need to hire people. So the trick is to be hireable (is that a word? – spell check says not). Go back to school, take classes, or even just ask for more responsibility on your current job. Build that resume! If your employer offers a 401k plan, get in it. Everybody loves a bargain, and right now stocks and mutual funds are at rock bottom lows. There are many companies whose stock is 50% or more lower than a year ago. Do your homework because there are companies that are not only profitable but also flush with cash and when things turns around so will there stock prices. And by all means if you in the market for a home now is the time. There are some communities hit really hard by the depressed housing market. In Atlanta for example, there is a community of 4000 plus sq foot homes that 2 years ago were selling for between 400,000 and 500,000 thousand dollars. A house in that same community today can be had for a little over 200,000. I doubt that in five to ten years those houses will still be in that price range.

Now let’s look at some statistics. According to Infoplease.com, 72% of Whites own their own home versus 49.7% of Blacks and 49.7% for Hispanics. Also, 68% of Whites participate in 401k plans versus 53% of Blacks, according an analysis done by G. R. Springstead and T. M. Wilson. So what does that mean? It means you weren’t paying attention! Let me put it this way; when that train of economic prosperity starts to roll out from the station, a lot of “us” aint gonna be on it, you dig.


Of course, this is all just one man’s opinion, mine. I am not recommending or even suggesting that anyone do any of the things I’ve written here. I’m just giving everyone something to think about. Anyway, I gotta go cuz I gotta get my grind on! Peace.


This copywrited material, its content and pictures are the sole property of The Real Times Publications (TRT) and may not be used without its consent. For information, to comment or permission to reprint this article please contact “The Real” Jeff Stewart at trtpub@gmail.com

Hey Buddy You Drop this $$ ?

Hey Buddy, You Drop This . . .? (c)

By: ‘The Real” Jeff Stewart

“Hey buddy you dropped this?” came the strangers voice from behind me as I walked toward the exit. Instinctively, or possibly with the knowledge that my unorganized behind was always dropping something I turned around. Walking toward me was a middle-age white male holding a crumpled up ten dollar bill. “I think you dropped this” he said, almost as an affirmation more than an inquiry. As I reached out to accept the bill, I half expected someone else to lay claim to the abandoned ten dollar bill. But no one did. I thanked the gentleman and stuck the wayward bill back in my pocket, while clutching my sausage biscuit meal and sweet tea, the latter of
which I have become extremely fond of since moving to Savannah. Most likely I put the money back in the same place it fell from originally. Okay so I’m not the brightest bulb in the lamp – I get that. However The honesty of this total stranger reminded me of something that happened to me several years ago when I was in my late 20’s or early 30’s.

My friend Keith and I were attending the Washington DC Boat Show. We had climbed aboard this gorgeous Searay mini yacht that had a front and rear bedroom. As we waited our turn to look inside the rear sleeping area a young white couple emerged. I entered first,
followed by my boy Keith. I noticed something on the ground and I picked it up. It was a tightly folded twenty dollar bill, actually 2 or 3 folded bills, with the two zero clearly visible on the outside bill. Keith looked at me, (presumably waiting for his cut) but I walked past him and out of the rear cabin. The young couple was still inside the 35 foot long vessel, looking at another area of the boat. I asked the dude “did you just come from the rear of this boat?” He gave me this ‘whatever it is you gonna accuse me of I didn’t do’ look, so I said “I think she dropped this”, and handed her the bills. She felt the rear pocket of her jeans from the outside, then quickly put her hand inside the now empty pocket. She took the bills and said thank-you, as did the guy. I think hers was sincere; his more out of relief that he was not about to have an encounter in a small space with two thuggish looking Black males. Now they felt obligated to make small talk with us about the boat, of which neither group could afford. As they were climbing up the ladder leading to the deck and off the boat, the lady remarked “that was really nice of them.”

Keith, witnessing the event but not saying anything the whole time, finally said to me “I know why you did that”. Keith knew me well enough to know that Black White stereo types bother me no end, and I knew that chick in her wildest dreams would not have expected someone of my race doing that. THAT’S why I did it. Because all young Black African American males ARE NOT all thugs and hoodlums.

Which brings me back to my ten dollar bill. Before that sunny morning in the Golden Arches I had never met Mr. Michael Herold. Michael has a company called Fencecraft and as the name implies they install fences and related services. Now if Michael is that honest and courteous to a total stranger, imagine how he treats his paying customers. So if you ever need any fencing services in the Blufton, SC area reach out to Michael at 843-579-9111 or email him at fencecraft@homessc.com Tell him you read about him TRT magazine. I ain’t saying he’s gonna give you a discount; I’m just saying whatever you guys agree on will be money well spent. And that’s FOR REAL!

This copywrited material my not be used without the expressed or written consent of TRT Publications. For more information contact “The Real” Jeff Stewart at trtpub@gmail.com

Jamie Foxx "The Soloist" Interview with Kam Williams

By Kam Williams

Kam Goes Solo with Jamie (Excerpts from the article)

Texas native Jamie Foxx was born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967 and raised by his grandparents from the age of seven months following the failure of his parents’ marriage. Although he was a star athlete at Terrell High on both the school’s football and basketball teams, he majored in classical music and composition in at the U.S. International University in California.

The versatile actor/comedian/singer/musician/writer/producer/director got his start in showbiz in 1989 when he went on stage on a dare on open mic night and tried his hand at standup. After spending time on the comedy circuit, he joined Keenan Ivory Wayans, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans and Tommy Davidson in the landmark Fox sketch comedy series "In Living Color," creating some of the show's funniest and most memorable moments.

Here, he talks about his new movie, The Soloist, a true story in which he plays Nathaniel Ayers, a Juilliard-trained child prodigy, who ended up homeless after developing schizophrenia. In the film, Ayers is befriended by Steve Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.), an L.A. Times reporter who hears him playing the violin in the park.

Kam Williams: Jamie, I loved The Soloist and I’m so honored to get this time with you.
Jamie Fox: Thank you, bro.

Kam Williams: My first question is, did you get to meet Nathaniel Ayers on the streets in preparing to portray him?

Jamie Foxx: Yes I did. As a matter of fact, I snuck downtown with a little bit of a disguise and a security cat, and I just hung out right next to Nathaniel. He had no idea that I was watching him. I got a chance to see him speak to the world, and get excited, and be happy, and sad, and play his music. And I saw him preach. Watching that I was able to gather a lot of great information about who this guy was that I was about to play, without hearing anybody’s opinion of him, but just from my firsthand look at him. Later, I was formally introduced to him, and he was on his best behavior. He smiled because he gets it that they were going to do a movie about his life. And then you see him not get it, and wondering, “What’s going on here?” And then he’d swing back around and get it again. So, it was very interesting. And while all that was happening, I had a video camera on my phone that I used to record him the whole time. So, I came home, watched that footage, the footage I filmed when he wasn’t watching, and the footage I filmed when he was aware.

Kam Williams: When you mentioned videotaping Nathaniel, it reminded me of a video I saw of you on the internet at the presidential inauguration where you were using your phone to tape a student from the Naval Academy, Chidiebere Kalu, singing acappella in his dress uniform.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CgQgDwL_k&feature=player_embedded]

He actually happens to be a friend of my son, who's producing some tracks with him. Were you really impressed with Kalu?

Jamie Foxx: Yes,

he just text-messaged me. I let him know to have some patience. I'm trying to get it all together, so when I come to him it's real legit. [Jamie starts singing the same song Kalu sings on youtube]. Whatever that song was, I called him on his answering machine, and said, "Young man, I've got some great ideas for you, I'm just trying to put it all together." I think we could really do something special with him. When I listened to his music, I just didn't think that was the way he should go. I think that he could stay clean. He could be a real beacon coming from the military, doing some great inspirational music that would also sell. I don't want him to feel like he's corny, because I know he's got his thing going. But with some of the music I heard, I was like, "That's cool," but we need to find the right music for him and then capitalize on where he's coming from. This video footage I have of him is just amazing!

Hip-hop/R&B Interview with KALU

By: I am “The Real” Jeff Stewart ©

Ladies and Gentleman, the hype is on! Allow me to introduce you to this new up and coming artist, KALU. He’s got this hot new single, “SOO Long” that is creating quite a buzz in the music industry. 4Ward Entertainment recently sponsored a “Battle of the Songz” that put KALU’s version of “SOO Long” against a version from another recording artist and it let you, the people, decide which is better. There was a huge surge of voting from listeners worldwide and let me tell you that KALU was an overwhelming success with over 280,000 hits and counting and over 600,000 profile views in less than 5 days !!! His song was getting so many hits that it shut MySpace down TWICE. With this type of attention coming out of nowhere we had no choice but to sit down and find out who is “KALU”?

First of all Kalu is not just an edgy industry name, it is his actual last name. His full name is Chidiebere Charles Kalu. His name means “God is Merciful” in Nigerian which is a strong belief of this young man. His parents, both of Nigerian decent raised him in Orangeburg, SC, where he graduated from Orangeburg Wilkinson High School in 2007. He currently resides in Annapolis MD, where he is a sophomore at the United States Naval Academy majoring in engineering.

This guy, at just 19 years of age, is on track to be considered a phenom in the R&B Hip Hop world. In addition to his music career, KALU has had countless offers of academic scholarships from major colleges and universities across the United States; as well as numerous scholarships offers to play college football and soccer. Eventually he made the decision to attend the Naval Academy, which some people would kill to even be considered for. On his decision to attend the Naval Academy, KALU told me, “it was not a difficult decision to go to the Naval Academy. It offered me a lot; a full ride, a great education and an opportunity to serve my country, and a prestige like no other. The monthly salary didn’t hurt either.”

So what I really needed to know is that with all this success when did singing come into play? Kalu said, “I started singing when I was 4. I was playing nearby my mom, who is a teacher and a parent she was talking to. For some reason an old cheerios song from a cereal commercial popped in my head and I just started singing. Both of them, the parent and my mother turned to me and were shocked. They were like; I could really sing.” Then I asked him how he knew he was more than just ordinary, something special, He told me, “The more I sang the more attention I got. I figured, hey, most people probably can’t do this. I started singing in front of a people in church and they moved me up to the adult choir when I was 7.”

His musical influences include some of the great artist like Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Al Greene, Lenny Williams, The Temptations, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, Earth Wind and fire, Whitney Houston, The Isley Brothers, Dru hill and Jamie Foxx. The list probably goes on and on because this kid really loves music. When asked who are the three artist that he would like to feature on his first album, Kalu said; Jamie Foxx, John Legend and Lauren Hill, all known for their talent and

their take no prisoners, swagger.

KALU was given the opportunity to sing for newly elected President Obama at a pre-inauguration concert. He said, “Afterwards I had an opportunity to mingle with some celebrities; I ran into Jack Black and sang a little something for him. He had to be impressed because HE INVITED Jamie Foxx and his crew” [to hear KALU sing]. “Jamie Foxx was so impressed he broke out his personal video camera to record the event, and invited me to contact him and plan to do some work together.”

KALU talked about his decision to pursue a music career and how he hooked up with 4WARD Entertainment CEO Rick Lee through his best friend Chris Lee at the Naval Academy. “I was just blessed to be given an opportunity. I sang for Mr. Lee on a trip with him and Chris, and the rest is history. They believe in me.” About the song? “It has my name all over it, it was made for me, when Rick presented the song to me I contacted Daze out of Kentucky and Rick hooked me up with L Blaze out of Washington DC. They are the hottest brothers in the production business! We took the song to a whole nother level. It truly is me all the way.”

So then I got to the question all the young ladies out there want to know. I asked him how the ladies were treating him, being a nice looking young man with a great voice; and if he has a girlfriend. KALU says “Well the ladies have always treated me nice. I am single at the moment and know how to treat a woman that is worthy of my affections. So ladies if you think you’re that special someone hit me at www.Myspace.com/4wardentmgmt. I do love the ladies, especially the real ones with the beautiful smiles.”

As we started to wrap up the interview I just had a few more questions for KALU. I asked him what he wanted to accomplish in the music industry, and where did he see himself 5 – 10 yrs down the road. He said, “I want to be as successful as possible by making good music. I also want to try and incorporate the feelings of the 90’s in our generation.” Down the road he sees himself “on stage performing and doing what I do best, singing.” To end, I asked him if there is anything he’d like to say to his fans and he offered this: “I just want to thank everyone for all their support. I want to make my fans happy, so I assure you that there will be more great music to come.”

First and foremost there were many things that impressed me about this young brother. He definitely has the drive to be successful in whatever path in life he pursues. Whether he is KALU the music artist, Mr. Chidiebere Kalu at the Naval Academy, or just Chidi to his friends and family he is well rounded and destined for success. He has a down to earth personality, a ton of street smarts, and plenty of swag, all characteristics that will take you far in today’s market. I was in awe of this 19 year old. And while he understands that his future is bright, he also knows that he has much more to accomplish and only through hard work and dedication will he be able to attain the goals he has set for himself. So music world take note, and look out for this hot new artist known as KALU.

For a complete transcript of this interview, or permission to use this article, contact I am “The Real” Jeff Stewart at realjeffstewart@aol.com, or Rick Lee at http://www.myspace.com/4wardentmgmt

TRT Latoya Interview

Back in February I had the unique opportunity to interview 4Ward Entertainment’s hot new R & B artist Kalu for TRT Publishing. Well ladies and gentlemen the hype continues! Recently I had the great pleasure of interviewing LaToya Lloyd, who will co-star with Kula in the upcoming video for Kalu’s hit single ‘Soo Long’. Toya, as she is affectionately known, beat out hundreds of young ladies in a contest put together by 4Ward Entertainment CEO Rick Lee, COO Mike Baylor and Chris Lee. I was part of the final selection committee and let me tell you; there were some very talented and smart young ladies to choose from. Once we narrowed it down to the final three, they each went thru a somewhat grueling interview process. At the end of that process, Ms. Lloyd was our winner! Personally, I felt LaToya had the “it” as they say. She had the style, charm, charisma and personality that spoke volumes and made her stand out in my mind. So when 4Ward Entertainment asked me to interview LaToya for an article for publication, I jumped at the chance.

LaToya Lloyd is a 19 yr old college student at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, SC. She was born in Junction City, Kansas to a Turkish mother and an African American father, giving Toya has a unique biracial heritage. She has a 5 yr old sister whom Toya proudly proclaims allows her “to strive to be the best role model in her life.” Growing up a military brat, Toya has lived all over the world, including Italy, Germany, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Maryland. She considers Maryland her home, where she spent her high school years and graduated from Westlake high School in Waldorf MD. She eventually wants to transfer to a 4 yr university and major in Fashion Merchandising or Broadcasting Communications. As she put it “I just love the entertainment industry!” By the way fella’s, Toya is currently single, by choice, she says, because “I’m just trying to remain focused on my goals so I can have a successful career for the rest of my life.” She is truly a fan of Kalu and his music.

I asked Toya how she heard about Kalu & his music. Amazing, she actually had a chance meeting while attending a family reunion in NY in the summer of 2008. Kalu was NY visiting as well and by coincidence Toya and Kalu were staying in the same hotel. Toya went on to say: “I over heard him in the lobby singing on the phone to someone and I couldn’t help but compliment him on his talent. I never thought we’d see each other again.” She also told me they exchange numbers (well, the boy aint stupid!)

I also asked her what made her a fan of Kalu’s? she told me “I’m a fan, not only because of his talent, but I admire the ambition and determination that he has to go along with it. He works hard to get where he wants to be in life and I admire that.”

When Toya decided to enter the contest to be the co-star in Kalu’s video, I wondered if the newly crowned co-star really knew how much Kalu had blown up since that meeting in NY. Over a million plays of his hit ‘Soo Long’ and nearly 2 million profile views on My space in less than a month. To that Toya responded - “I realized how popular Kalu was after he won the artist contest” (4Ward Entertainments battle of the songs.) “After thousands of plays and views on his new single ‘Soo Long’, I saw that he already had millions of fans who also admired his which is amazing.” Well, I guess she knew, huh?

Speaking of the video, I asked Toya how she came to hear about the Music Video Co-Star Competition. She received a friend request from 4Ward Entertainment and she decided to look around the site. She said “I went to the page to casually look and came across the Co-Star competition banner” (The site was designed by Matt Lee.) Did Toya having any concerns or fears about entering the contest? She told me her “thoughts entering the competition were all mixed up. I thought what if I don’t get picked, what if a do, is it beneficial to me, is this even a real contest! (Whoa, sorry I asked.) But then added “after thinking way to much, I decided it’s worth a try; I have nothing to lose.”

I asked Toya whose idea was it for her to enter the contest and who had she talked to about it. She said “It was completely 100%” her ideas to enter and “no one even knew I entered because I didn’t want to tell anyone and then not make it.” So she waited, and when she found out she made the top 11, she told “EVERYONE.” So did she feel she had an advantage living at the time in South Carolina, Kalu’s home state? No she says, “I honestly didn’t feel like I had an advantage because technically I’m from MD. I knew most of my votes would be coming from the DC area.”

As she began to watch the contest unfold on My Space, I asked Toya what were her thoughts; was she nervous? “In the beginning of the competition I was a bit nervous. I saw that there were a few girls way ahead of me with votes and I thought I’d never catch up. So I advertised and campaigned so hard and had help of my closet friends and saw a progress and kept it going. (She campaigned indeed – like Obama!)

Now that she’s won Video Co-Star contest, I asked Toya how it feels to know thousands of people were following this contest and know that you won, and what has been your family’s reaction? She replied “I’m completely excited to know that I’m known among many other people now because I won. It’s a great feeling to know that there’s people out there I don’t know who’re waiting to see what I have to bring to the table and the finished product – the video itself.” And her “friends and family are just as excited as I am, if not more. They have all been asking about the details of when the shooting of the video will take place and what will I have to do. They’re my biggest support system.

I asked Toya has anyone recognized her as the girl who won the contest on My Space? While in class Toya said “someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I won and when is the video being shot. She said she no idea who this person was, “but it caught me off guard and made me happy to know that people know about this.”

Now that she is part of the 4Ward Entertain family, how does she feel about the company? Toya told me “I love 4Ward Entertainment Management (good answer!) They’ve been nothing but friendly and welcoming to me. They’re a team that has goals and goes hard at achieving them. I feel blessed to help and be a part of a movement that has a successful future ahead “ (really good answer – you hear that all you aspiring artists out there? – 4Ward Ent Mgmt!)

Toya not only has been made to feel like family, she’s been involved in the process from day one for her, being included for example on conference calls with the video’s producer Ryan Franklin ( remember his name cuz you’re going to hear that name again.) Toya said “I was actually pretty surprised to be included in so much detail the whole process. 4Ward Ent always makes me feel included because they continuously ask me my opinion on things. It’s a good feeling when you feel you can voice your opinion and be part of an amazing team.”

I asked Toya to compare her feelings when she first entered to contest to now. She told when she first entered the contest “I did not know what to expect. Now that I won, I feel like I made one of the best decisions. I was welcomed to a big opportunity full of excitement.”

I asked Toya to summarize her experience thus far and to say a few words in closing.

“This entire experience so far is full of different emotions. I’m excited, nervous, anxious, and even more ambitious. My final words for anyone trying to make it are to pick a goal, figure out what you have to do to achieve it, and go for it. Opportunity isn’t going to come knocking, you have to go knock yourself. In the end it’ll pay off. It’s just the beginning for me and there’s more of me to come.”

Wow, that was a powerful closing words. I was moved as a writer and believe me I’m not touched easily. I told you guys this young lady had “IT”! And I’m FOR REAL. I’m out.