As we start the end of the year wind down, please allow me to give credit to those that make A Dante Production TICK.
It’s true the CEO of Dante is a visionary; however, visions don’t just happen without support from outside. Let’s identify those who make Dante Tick.
Donna Gray-Banks, I met Donna after moving to Florida and the what fascinated me was her level of intelligence while observing her at a Fresh Book Festival, Donna was a primary speaker and I just sat and observed, then I found out Donna was the CEO of Fresh, I was fascinated how fast Donna could think on her feet while fielding question’s from the audience. It didn’t take me long to want more knowledge about both Donna and Fresh. I have a thing about aligning with like-minded people. A primary interest of mine was those things that would be continuous education of people and reading was a pertinent part of education. The relationship between Donna and I became stronger based on her like-minded values.
Donna introduced me to L. D. Robinson, who is the owner of Ladero Design Works. Again, I met a person who has a very creative mind and could have a discussion via phone a create thoughts into a work of art based on the phone call. Most of the Flyer may be my thoughts however LD creates the designs based on a phone call. Additionally, LD also developed the A Dante Production website from scratch with very little input from me. Within the Dante website there are two things that are very valuable, P2V, which is the ability to purchase a concert and sit in the comfort of your home and watch a concert, another is we have our own ticket office so we can sell concert tickets and only deal with a third-party vendor when we want to. Again, a like-minded person on a higher intellectual level.
Leroy McClendon, CEO of Billy Boy Productions. Leroy is our indoor sound engineer; I say indoor only because the amount of equipment it takes to do outdoor concerts is enormous. You need a truck and may YOUNG MEN to set up for outdoor concerts. One thing I get asked by the musicians during our initial meeting in the development stages of a concert, “Who is the Sound Engineer?” If I say Leroy the comfort level goes to neutral, the musicians are very picky about the sound and have faith in Leroy and we have always had success when we have him. He is also our Chaplin, and we need one.
Gary Johnson owns Gary Johnson Media, LLC a longtime and close partner with A Dante Production. Gary is also a close friend. Gary and I met many years ago in Maryland and have done MANY projects together. Gary has the “We Can’t Fail” mentality. And he means just that. Gary also owns the premier online magazines on the Internet targeting Black men (Black Men In America.com). I feel very privileged to write two columns in the magazine, Mr. Free Spirit and What Makes Dante Tick. Gary has an above average level of intelligence and an is extremely creative mind. Again, a like-minded person. Gary and I have worked on some very difficult projects and success was always the result. There have been times we could finish each other’s sentences. Upon my retirement Gary was the person that convinced me to move to retirement.
Gina Baker, Owner of Baker Financial Company. Gina was my accountant before moving to Florida, Baker Financial moved from Maryland to Georgia. Just before I moved to FL. Baker Financial has been our company of choice for years and kept us from getting in trouble with IRS based on their ability to keep our records in line with the Law. Baker Financial was with us during the days we had the motor coach company. Our confidence level as it relates to having and keeping Baker Financial is sky high based on the speed of growth of ADP.
In summary, the people who keep A Dante Production, LLC afloat, know that there have been many days when I wanted to give up, however I get rejuvenated based on a conversation with any of the aforementioned partners. Both Gary and Donna have gone international, in 2025 A Dante Production will be going international based on the pending contracts. Dante is growing and spreading faster than desired however, the satisfaction of Ed-U-TAINMENT which combines Education with Entertainment is very satisfying. I owe a great deal of thanks to Gary, Donna, Leroy & Baker Financial for making these things happen. It’s not about money, it’s about the satisfaction of filling a much-needed VOID.
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