We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kwabena Antoine Nixon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kwabena Antoine below.

Kwabena Antoine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Where should I start , my entire career has been about risk. Leaving Chicago to move to Milwaukee and only knowing one person. deciding to go to film school instead of taking a regular job, dropping out of college to write a play, that did well but then came crashing down due to my inexperience. Leaving the comfort of my educational position and a study paycheck to pursue a career in the performing arts , I was 30 years old , comfortable and on the verge of being offered a position as the director of the after school program, which would of been a decent amount around 50,000 k with the opportunity to advance with the YMCA system. I mean they laid it out , even offer me an opportunity to go back to school. Now for the average this would of been perfect, a truly afterschool special redemption. You know boy leaves inner-city violence, gets his mind in the right place makes the necessary changes, goes back to school and becomes a inspiration in the lives of young kids of color. Well 3 months before that I was chosen to go to the SIMBA camp.. Safe In My Brothers Arms, a empowerment camp for young men of color to explore , connect and build on the strengths of African culture. Well things have a funny way of turning around , what was supposed to be a cultural connection for them became a reconnection, the awakening of my gift and the spark to create. Imagine if you will 3000 black and brown boys and men , praying together, eating together , connecting with youth who are labeled as hardened, begin to shed their walls of protection and release tears of freedom… We ate by the playing of the drum, I taught classes outside…we yelled ” two black , two strong ” in union.. It was magical unlike anything I had ever been apart of ..So upon returning home , the sky looked different , the air smelled different and i knew immediately , that was it … I sat on the edge of my bed , thought quietly and I went to school the next day and resigned … I called my ma’dear.. and told her that I quit teaching and that I was going to go after it and she said about the time … That was in 2001… it’s 2025 and I haven’t looked back … It has not been easy , but it has been worth it …..

Your dreams cannot be placed in a box , that must live out loud for the world to see ,

ps. our destiny and legacy id connected …

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My career has been one of momentum…I feel like each time my advancement was a natural projection.. Well myself, Muhibb Dyer and several other poets , activist and rappers combined our efforts to help elect Milwaukee’s first black mayor Marvin Pratt. Against the advice of many we decided to stand behind the mayor , and we almost pulled it off. Our combined efforts of energy , creativity , impactful spoken-word and on the boots campaigning turned a moment into a movement. We feel short but the momentum catapult myself onto city platform and with that being said , I along with my DJ Vell created Poetry Unplugged, the longest running open mic poetry experience in the country .., For 13 years straight, we changed the structure of arts and entertainment. Spoken-Word poetry became the in thing in the city .. 100-200 people would show up to be a part of the experience, which included a live band, a Dj and poets from all over the country. (when we closed the doors 500 and something people showed up our 20 year reunion show sold out 600 people. As the night grew my drive to push the culture did also. I wanted to capitalize of the success, and highlight black culture in the city of Milwaukee, create a thriving cultural experience , active, lively and impactful .. An we did … I threw my fortieth Bday party, ….Light Camera and action the city had never witnessed anything in this nature , 800 black people on the northside of Milwaukee dressed from head to toe,hollywood style backdrops , red carpet interviews, DJ’s , Bands nothing like it .. I created a crew and we went on to dominate the nightlife.. Good things come to an end the bigger we got the more problems .. In a years time I went form the architect of black cool, the poet of popularity, a husband .. to living in a one bedroom apartment, no events and a 100 people at poetry to maybe 30 and finally separated and on the bus stop. Not to mention all my ideas had been taken, my crew was gone and i was about to be evicted . No school called me , my poetry performances were minimal and i had lost the confidence of the people ..

In January of 2015 , I sat in my house, i did not go out for new years and I read the book .. Think & Grow Rich from cover to cover , i created a vision board, I pulled out my manuscript of my book and sat there . i cried like a baby , i had forgotten who i was and why I was here . My cellphone rang, it was call from MPS…they wanted me to be apart of a program for young men of color,, they offered a number, i paused and said no.. The voice on the other end said why.. before answer let me give you the context of my situation. I have 85 dollars to my name. Both my accounts are in the negative. My phone will be turned off any day and my landlords lawyer is about to take me to court. I need every dime that’s about to come in …

Three months later I am standing at a podium accepting award for activist of the year, my book is released and poetry unplugged receives and award for best poetry set in the city. Oh yeah, we went on two do that program ” The I Will Not Die Young Campagian for two year locally and nationally and in 2020 after covid restrictions were lifted ” Soul Unplugged Music Series was created which drew over 700 people every thursday and now I have the privilege of facilitation of creating safe space for blackmen, who were about to give up. I open every sesion with the words my Ma’dear told me as a child…

“It aint never been to easy, it ain’t never been to hard . it’s what must be done .”

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Yes I read and write daily, i would definitely say to any artist that practice is preparation and art is a gift so find ways to maximize your gift and you will make a great living at it. Every entrepreneur , artist or self employed person must have a routine.. Rise up with purpose, yes rise up with a strong why. Your why helps when your how will not..
I rise up , because morning is my most creative time, next i give grace to my creator through prayer and meditation …walk my dogs lol, sit down and do the following 10 minutes of gratitude, writing , reading or affirmations. Twenty 20 minute of journaling… Ten minute break in between , stretching , walk just move or watch something funny to break the tension. Then back to the routine twenty minutes of reading and finally 20 minutes of emails , social media etc.

Books , Talent Is Never Enough by John C. Maxwell
21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership by John C Maxmwell
Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Do You By Russel Simmons
48 laws of Powers by Robert Greene
Writing Down To Bones By An Goldberg
What Makes The Great By Dr. Dennis Kimbro
The Autobiography Of Malcom X
Writing to cha nge The World

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beinspiredworks.com/services-1
• Instagram: Beinspiredworks
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