“If the stakes are everything, you’ll tell yourself anything you need to hear to survive.” – Dave Chappelle
Season 1 – Episode 2, and we’re back with another issue of the Culture’s Premium Lifestyle Experience that we call AcknowledgeMINT. Much love to ALL of the supporters, advertisers, distributors, believers, and haters who provided us with so many confirmations of why this platform needs to exist. I have to give so much love to Ryan Wilson, TK Petersen, and The Gathering Spot family for helping us formally launch this magazine, which set the tone for showing how we are committed to unapologetically serving the best in Black everything.
The Dave Chappelle quote that I pulled is such a relatable theme for so many entrepreneurs who are committed to making their dreams valuable in your reality. In this issue, Shea Pegues outlines the sacrifices necessary in order for her small business to be successful. Lonzo Caffey is transparent about how important his inner circle has been in influencing his decisions. Shawn Samuda takes six vacations a year because he figured out how to incorporate his sales profession into his lifestyle.
At the end of the day, we’re all responsible for learning what works best for us. Then once we learn what works best for us today, we have to be open to exploring another promising pathway for tomorrow. Dell McGee won back-to-back college football national championships in 8 years as an assistant at the University of Georgia. He’s going to bring that winning formula to Georgia State as the new head coach. Executive Vice President & Chief Culture Officer, DeRetta Cole Rhodes, Ph.D of the Atlanta Braves won a World Series in 2021. She’s going to change lives with her new memoir. The Nappy Roots signed a major record deal and sold millions of albums. Their Atlantucky Brewing beer bar will continue to thrive as one of the top Atlanta destinations. Megan Harris is a seasoned financial services professional, empowering clients through her own boutique firm. She will make Georgians victorious with her Fulton County Commissioner District 2 run. Kweillin Gordon, Sheldon Johns-Harris, James Roach, and Ché Bailey were a crew of professionals that bonded over drinks, hanging out, and having a good time. Their Greenwood Whiskey brand will continue to grow into the culture’s premiere celebration spirit of choice.
Many thanks go out to this issue’s MVP, Kishawn Tyrell D. Gilliam for always coming through in the clutch. Continued thanks go out to Ebonee Thompson, Leon Rhodes, Mr. DeRay Cole, Rod Rook–Chungong, DJ Knotts, Quinetha Frasier, Courtney Johnson, Trish Payne, Melvin Davis Jr., Coach Gene Hill, Felicia Tucker, Robert Shegog, Curtis Daniel, Greg Seals of Wrap City Vinyls, Ian Daniels at Atlantucky, Melvin Coleman of Atlanta Black Chambers, Henry Caslin, Chris Thompson, DaShaunda Patterson, Kevin Fenner of Audi Gwinnett, Adiclere Evans of The Black Entertainment Economic Council, Chiquita Banks, Esq. Chris Webber, Leron Rogers, Monée Williams, Cole Parker, and Jamond Hackley of Definition Cigars. Congratulations on getting the book done DeRetta!!!!!
The inspiration behind this issue is my daughter Mia, and my mother, Bobbie J. Henderson.
Adell Henderson
Publisher