Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sterling Jr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sterling thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Black Cards Of History is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of black history and culture through trivia. With a passion for writing, they strive to provide informative and educational experiences, highlighting the narratives and contributions of African Americans. Through carefully crafted trivia questions and interactive sessions, they engage audiences, fostering a love for learning and encouraging dialogue.
Committed to accuracy and integrity, Black Cards Of History conducts thorough research and collaborates with experts to ensure the quality of their content. Additionally, they utilize their writing skills to create engaging articles and educational materials, leaving a lasting impact. By bridging the gap between ignorance and understanding, they contribute to a more inclusive society that celebrates the richness and diversity of black history and culture.
Sterling, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a writer/blogger and web/graphic designer currently in Sunrise, Florida. Originally, in my main business, The Sterling Studies, had a section dedicated to study guides I wrote with one of the sections being black history. On the one year anniversary on The Sterling Studies, I wanted to expand that section to something more than just study guides so I wanted to create them into trivia cards and turn them into a business. At the time, I was originally giving a recommendation to turn it into a non-profit instead of a small business since I can branch out more towards making it more of an awareness.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Growing up, I have been watching Jeopardy! ever since I was a toddler (meaning first grew up with a mustached Alex Trebek before he shaved it in 2001 when I was 3/4) and even wanted to see the different tournaments as well. My mother always said that “Jeopardy! is my babysitter”.
So, when I transfered from private to public school in the 8th grade, I remember being given a giant package entitled “The Black Heritage Trivia Game” to learn a good amount before the middle school’s black history bowl between the grades (6th grade vs 7th grade vs 8th grade). We (8th grade) were the runner ups, but I still had a good time.
Then, in my junior year of high school (2012-2013), I transferred from a college advancement school (a school that didn’t want to bother with teaching black culture despite someone had an interest in that as a college major) to a public high school (who had African American Studies as an elective) during Black History Month itself. By senior year, I was still in the same public school and wanted to join the team to represent the school in the Black History Bowl, which my team were in the top 4, which I will admit was a little disappointing.
I am 26 now, still have the passion for black history, and I still have the original copies I was given both in middle school and high school. The latest versions, based on what I saw on Google, were August 2015 (with graduating May 2015), which makes them sadly 8 years outdated and was hoping to see a revised version of it ever since this decade (the 2020s) rolled in. My intention is to bring history to more of an awareness while making it educational at the same time so that is why I went to the trivia aspect.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy that I have personally used for both growing my partnerships and clientele is networking. Networking events have played a pivotal role in acquiring clientele for Black Cards Of History. These events provide valuable opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who share our passion for black history and are interested in supporting our cause. By actively participating in networking events, we forge meaningful relationships, establish collaborations, and expand our reach within the community. Engaging with educators, historians, community leaders, and individuals enthusiastic about learning, we showcase the unique value of Black Cards Of History and how our trivia-based approach fosters education and awareness in an engaging manner.
Additionally, networking events enable us to connect with potential sponsors, donors, and partners who align with our vision, leading to financial support, strategic alliances, and increased resources. These events also facilitate continuous learning and exposure to new perspectives, helping us grow as an organization and improve the services we offer to our clientele. Attending networking events has been instrumental in our client acquisition efforts. Through these events, we connect with passionate individuals, forge partnerships, and acquire diverse clientele who share our commitment to promoting black history awareness through trivia.
Contact Info:
- Website: blackcardsofhistory.org
- Instagram: @BlackCardsOfHistory
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackcardsofhistory/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-cards-of-history/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackcardsofhistory
- Others:
Inc: @BlackCardsOfHistoryFuture Shop Website: blackcardsofhistory.com