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Michelle Carter: Changing Lives One Throw At A Time

Posted by Erica Bennett on May 13, 2017
Posted in: College, Professional. Tagged: Gold Medal, Michelle Carter, Olympian, Olympics, Red Oak, Rio de Janeiro, Texas. Leave a comment

The world watched in August 2016 as Michelle Carter made history in Rio de Janeiro. On her final throw she became the first American woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal in Shot Put.

I’ve known about Michelle for years. We grew up in the same church in Dallas and have the same mutual friends, but we never met. When we finally did, we talked about the athletic victories, challenges, faith and push to empower other women and girl athletes going forward. WATCH:

My brother Corey did a great job shooting and editing this piece. He’s so talented and full of vision! If you’re in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and have video/documentary needs, he’s the man. He can be reached at creative.enhancing.films@gmail.com. His YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVgu00Y9VGgxXfN-zfTtQQ

Special thanks to my husband T.J. for providing some of the music sound track.

You can keep up with Michelle and her journey at shotdiva.com | Twitter and Instagram: @shotdiva

Chase Daniel Golf Tournament

Posted by Erica Bennett on July 2, 2016
Posted in: College, Professional. Tagged: Chase Daniel, Chiefs, Dallas, Eagles, football, Mizzou, NFL, Saints, Southlake Carroll, Tigers. Leave a comment

Two things I’m proud of: my Texas roots and alma mater Mizzou.  Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Chase Daniel shares the same sentiment!  He came back to his hometown of Southlake, Texas (suburb of Dallas) to team up with the DFW Mizzou Alumni chapter.  A golf tournament and auction dinner at Sky Creek Ranch helped raise money for scholarships.

It was a great event!

I just so  happened to be in town for a wedding meet-and-greet, so took my Dad out for a night of Tiger fun.

Chase was the starting Quarterback three out of the four years I was at Mizzou.  I enjoyed hearing him talk about his competitive drive and leading us to a No.1 ranking in the country my senior year.

 

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Ribault Girls Clinch Record-setting Title

Posted by Erica Bennett on May 26, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

The Lady Trojans of Ribault High School (Jacksonville, Florida) are champions once again. Not only did they win the 5A title in Florida, they won the Dick Sporting Goods National Championship!

Couldn’t have happened to a better bunch. I respect Coach Shelia Seymore-Pennick so much, and so do the girls. Check out my story here:

David Garrard: Life After the NFL

Posted by Erica Bennett on February 22, 2016
Posted in: Professional, Uncategorized. Tagged: breast cancer, David Garrard, football, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Jaguars, playoffs. Leave a comment

David Garrard has been a staple in the Jacksonville, Florida community for years.  He’s the last Quarterback to lead the Jaguars to the playoffs, and does life changing work through his Foundation.  My brother and I got a chance to sit down with him at his new venture: Retro Fitness.  We talked Crohn’s Disease, his football career and legacy going forward.  Take a look:

Videography and editing by: Creative Enhancing Films. If you’re in the Dallas area, hit my brother up for all your visual needs. creative.enhancing.films@gmail.com.

Music by: my fiance T.J. Check out his music at tjbeatz.com or keep up with his latest projects on IG at @tjdabeatman.

 

 

I’m Getting Married!

Posted by Erica Bennett on January 20, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

December 3, 2015, I got asked the most important question of my life.  I’m getting married!  Can’t wait to spend a lifetime with my best friend and love T.J. Simon.

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Erykah Badu: Album Release Party

Posted by Erica Bennett on January 20, 2016
Posted in: Music. Tagged: But You Caint Use My Phone, Dallas, Erykah Badu, Lab Art Texas, mixtape, music. Leave a comment

After much anticipation, Erykah Badu dropped “But You Caint Use My Phone”.  In honor of the mixtape, she had a listening party at Lab Art Texas in her hometown of Dallas. My brother was in the building for it and got a behind-the-scenes-look throughout the night. Take a look:

{Video by Creative Enhancing Films. For coverage of your next event, or photography, contact creative.enhancing.films@gmail.com}

Working Women Wednesday Feature

Posted by Erica Bennett on August 1, 2015
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

It’s not every day I’M the one getting interviewed, but in May I sat down with Jasmine Love from 93.3 The Beat Jamz.  Was honored to be their “Working Women Wednesday” feature for that month.  We talked work ethic, motivation and persevering through adversity.  Take a look:

New Music Alert: T.J. Simon

Posted by Erica Bennett on April 2, 2015
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

In Summer 2014, I told you about my talented boyfriend T.J. He’s one of the hottest producers in the Southeast and on his way to stardom. Here’s a new behind the scenes look at his creative process (shot by 618 Films):

You can keep up with T.J. and his Workaholix team on Instagram and Twitter: @TJDaBeatman.

Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine

Posted by Erica Bennett on March 28, 2015
Posted in: Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Took a trip to NYC recently and stopped by Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine in Hell’s Kitchen. The NBA Legend has a number of choices on the menu — from shrimp to a signature burger (which my boyfriend and I tried). The ceiling is decorated with Clyde’s old suit patterns, basketball is on multiple screens at the bar and when you’re done eating — you can play one-on-one with your date in the built in court! 

It’s a fun way to spice up dinner. 👌 Go try it! It’s on 10th Avenue.

 

Open Letter To The Young Black Generation

Posted by Erica Bennett on January 22, 2015
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: africa, America, arrested, black, jail, kids, police, slavery, stereotypes, teens, violence. 2 Comments

This has nothing to do with sports or entertainment, but I still wanted to share. I think about young people a lot. I think about the problems they face, the hurdles they have to overcome, and the statistics they’re creating. I was so burdened recently, I wrote this open letter to the young black generation (who, in my opinion, are in crisis). Take a read:

Dear young black generation,

Once upon a time, our African ancestors went from being tribal kings and queens to laborers in America. We were beaten and killed for trying to escape oppression, learning to read or bettering ourselves in any way. At one point, we weren’t even considered human on the U.S. Census. Speed up to sharecropping days. Education was limited and wages were low. Although slavery was “over” — we were in a foreign land, told to figure it out — despite no fair opportunities. Couldn’t vote, couldn’t get a business or housing loan. Not all, but most couldn’t achieve the “American Dream.” Fast forward to Jim Crow days. According to the law of the land, we were still “less than.” Couldn’t eat where we wanted, ride transportation how we pleased, and yes — were still beaten and killed for wanting better. It took courageous men and women to say: wait a minute. We helped build this country one field at a time, yet can’t thrive in it. I am intelligent. I am talented. I am worthy of the same inalienable rights as my fairer complexed brothers and sisters. That spark ignited a flame that refused to be put out. New laws were written. Hatred and racism were exposed. (Some) change had come.

Knowing this — why then are we in such a lost state? Why are we acting savage; killing one another for less? Not valuing ours or anybody else’s life? Letting negative messages in music, disenfranchisement and hopelessness prevail? Why are we disrespecting the elderly and calling our women everything except what they were created to be? Why are we blaming others for bad choices and not finding ways to improve? Why are we not thanking God for our progressions, and working to get more? Lastly– why are we living up to the very stereotypes our ancestors tried to shatter?

My strong black men and beautiful women: restore your worth. Restore the value Almighty God has given you. Honor those who came before you through kind words, not violence. Take advantage of the free, equal education our grandparents fought for. Study hard; ask someone to help you apply for financial aid before you graduate. Go to trade school. Stop thinking street life won’t get you locked up or killed. Honor women, even if they’ve had it rough and don’t honor themselves. Give up the anti-monogamous mindset, and get excited about marriage. Seek God and His path, and see how your circumstances will change.

Above all, remember — you came from royalty. Now is the time to reclaim your thrones.

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  • Recent Posts

    • Michelle Carter: Changing Lives One Throw At A Time
    • Chase Daniel Golf Tournament
    • Ribault Girls Clinch Record-setting Title
    • David Garrard: Life After the NFL
    • I’m Getting Married!
    • Erykah Badu: Album Release Party
    • Working Women Wednesday Feature
    • New Music Alert: T.J. Simon
    • Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine
    • Open Letter To The Young Black Generation
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