Black In Business

This nerd thing is taking a life of it own. It is possible nerd is hot. I heard about it in a documentary on black boys when at the end the PHD interviewed said we need more nerds in the hood. There is a movie revenge of the nerds, 2 of the most hip bloggers amongst black bloggers, Fredric and Bronze Trinity have implied through their comments they are nerds. To top this out, I received a fascinating email from the executive producer of Desedo Films. Michael Hastings-Black sent me a link to an article on nerds written by his business partner, Raafi Rivero. I never would have thought of film producers as a nerd. Now that I think about it, I guess Spike Lee and John Singleton are nerdy. I met Spike at the Metropolitan Club in London during fashion week one year and he was a lot of fun.
Michael and Raafi have a business dream and are focused on building their brand. These guys were introduced by mutual friends in a Brooklyn bar, what a way to open a movie; a bar in Brooklyn, not far from the water. This happened in the summer of 02. Michael went to Europe to work on a farm. I said, “stop right there, You did what, where,?” This was interesting stuff to me, I mean I have worked on a farm, in a hay field, it was great conditioning for football, but the Europe thing seemed pretty hip to me. Anyways, that is when Michael told me, I am a white dude. Raffi stayed in Brooklyn working on the editorial team for the trend setting Spike Lee’s movie 25th hour. Raafi was getting his Masters at Howard University, and he and Michael hooked up and produced his thesis film for a Masters in Fine Arts. Congratulations Raffi.
Many of us hip guys, get our paper, aka, degree and get a job. These nerds started Desedo Films in the winter of 05.These guys are on the way to great things! In January of this year they added 2 directors. Have been signed by a couple of agents and are putting out good stuff. This month they have moved on up from a home office in Brooklyn to an office in Manhattan. Close to the home of the beloved New York Knicks.
This is what blackinbusiness is all about, ordinary guys doing extraordinary things. They are living humbly now, something many hip people could never do, but with the long hour, focus and desire they feel the ski is the limit. I am very happy for these guys because they love what they do, loving it make it fun and not work. Keep an eye on Desedo Films.
I am enjoying writing about nerds, if you are one or know some give me a shout out, I would love to tell your story.