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Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union Show How the Grind is More than Just Make a Living Because of What Hustle-Love Can Do

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The regular NBA season is about to end. Some fans are getting ready for the game to go to the next level. The playoffs start in a few days and sports commentators are busy ranking a team’s chances to win it all. It’s the first in a long time that Lebron James will be missing and watching from the sidelines.

Another streak that‘s about to end is Dwyane Wade’s NBA career. He’s played for 16 seasons during which he’s won championship trophies, MVP awards and scoring titles. Wade’s been savoring the moment with his ‘One Last Dance’ tour in NBA cities, swapping jerseys with other players along the way.

Wade has become an icon to many for his hustle-love on and off the court. He’s been teaming-up with his wife Gabrielle Union in doing more than just the grind but also encouraging us to be who we were meant to be. They’re parents of a new girl born by surrogate that’s been its own life-giving story.

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As Wade’s career takes a shift, Union is charting new ground in her career as a judge on America’s Got Talent. They’re both seen in TV commercials pushing each other on the treadmill but maybe even more importantly, inspiring us to grow in mind, body and spirit. They’re good examples of life beyond the grind.

Wade’s personal and professional journey is seen in a special video that is a big tear-jerker. He’s thanked by five people with their appreciation for what he’s meant in their lives. In the video we learn how Wade sees the game, the grind and the gift for making a difference. His hustle-love has been driven by:

  1. Pain

The story behind the man is heard from his mom. She remembers falling short in caring for him due to her own substance abuse challenges. But when Wade showed love to her even then, she saw him as more than a son. Hustle-love can turn pain into gain, into something that’s paying or even a payback.

  1. Project

He didn’t go to school to become a fashion designer, but he’s caught the ‘style and fashion’ bug. His line of socks is sold through Amazon. It’s something he began as a side project. His hustle-love on the court is seen in game-winning shots. But hustle-love is also in learning something you didn’t go to school for.

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  1. Passion

Wade’s not sure what’s next after basketball. He’ll likely pitch products beyond his sneaker line. If socks became his passion project, then wine testing is becoming a possible business passion. He says there’s something about the feeling around the ‘wine & dine’ experience with others that gets his juices flowing.

  1. Purpose

He knows things could have gone differently as a child. There were times of lack and lost opportunity. But people gave him a helping hand and he wants to do the same. That came through in the video for how he’s fulfilling his purpose. Hustle-love through purpose means ‘hustle & love’ to serve the people.

During the last week of the season fans came out to show love. Union defended him against those wanting to dim his shine. NBA coach Gregg Popovich said Wade’s hustle-love is bigger than the game of basketball. And President Obama put in a word saying “Wade’s done us proud” grinding all his life.

Tip: Showing up for work is more than just making a living. It’s bringing hustle-love through the pain in a project or where passion can serve a larger purpose.

Talkback: How has Wade changed the game after teaming-up with Lebron and Bosh?

Tracks: Nipsy Hussle – Grinding All My Life – https://youtu.be/nHLKEHnfo9c

Ne-Yo – Champagne Life – https://youtu.be/gqayCgvI_uI

John Legend & Chrissy Teigen Celebrate Showbiz, Motherhood and How They Refresh Their Shine for a Brighter & Wider Fanbase

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Who remembers the fast-food chain that made famous the question ‘where’s the beef?’ It was a way of saying their burgers had more beef than their competitors. These days the question some are asking is ‘what’s the beef?’ Nicki and Cardi are still working on the answer. Drake and Meek Mill say they’re done.

Well there’s no ‘beef’ between John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. Actually, there’s nothing but love. Sometimes sexy love other times ‘hustle love.’ Teigen says she’s getting back into the sexy swing of things now that she’s upped her role in motherhood. With two mouths to feed ‘hit and run’ has new meaning.

Legend is busy doing the showbiz thing after winning an Emmy for his work with the ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ production. With this award he joins a select group of celebs who’re among the EGOTs. He’s the youngest and first black male to get an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony for his artistic roles.

This summer they spent a few weeks in Bali where Teigen appeared in social media posts wearing her ‘headband of the day’ while hubby John serenaded her with a song. That’s a long way from her days as a teenage catalog model and then gaining major fame as a Swimsuit cover model.

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Whether it’s the sexy love between them or the ‘hustle love’ that fuels them, they celebrate how they refresh their shine for a brighter and wider fanbase. Teigen has a new cookbook while Legend is set to release new music. It’s the passion for doing their thing that tells us about how they up their game using:

  1. Script – learn the job, produce the work

Every job has ways for getting stuff done. It could be as simple as learning a script and executing the task. That’s how it goes for TV sitcoms and scripted programs. As a songwriter and singer, Legend knows the process. He uses that same skill to learn the job and produce the work with other projects as well.

  1. Sound – find your voice, rock the game

With most work assignments there’s usually a learning curve. It takes some time to get the feel and flow of things. After a while a rhythm develops. That’s how it happens in the music biz and in other lines of work. There’s the groove track to which you add lyrics. This way you find your voice and rock the game.

  1. Screen – stretch your sights, see the big picture

A beach trip or Caribbean vacation is often a time to slow down and chill. Some might even checkout the view as the sun rises and sets beyond the horizon. It’s like watching time pass on life’s big screen. You get to stretch your sights while seeing the big picture. This does wonders for R&R and helping dreams go far.

  1. Stage – do it up, bring the fun

The stage is where performance comes together. John Legend’s stage as a music artist is different from Teigen’s stage as a model. With your job or career, when things come together on the work stage there’s usually a sale, a promotion, a cheer or other forms of excitement as a return on commitment.

It seems like their celebrity side hustle of ‘headband of the day’ videos have taken a break. As they get back-to-the-grind they’re juggling work, kids and other steps that come with the role. And as they get out of bed to face another day they’re doing those things to shine in ways that moves fans and dollars.

Tip: As we get out of bed to face another day it calls for ‘hustle love’ which means doing those things to shine in ways that moves customers, fans and dollars.

Talkback: Hey Tiffany Haddish, what’s the beef between Nicki and Cardi? (I don’t Know)

Tracks: Ne-Yo – Sexy Love – https://youtu.be/mgaeGW-2z6w

Vivian Green – I Don’t Know – https://youtu.be/HNg80zNpPwU

Howard Schultz & Steph Curry Enjoy the Best Work Life Ever as Masters of Their Game

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It was just over a week ago when news hit the wire that Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz would be stepping down. He’s been the head honcho responsible for building the company to its massive presence in the marketplace. In the announcement he described his days at Starbucks as the dream of a lifetime.

While Schultz might be stepping down, Steph Curry just took his team another step up in the annals of NBA history. Having been to the finals four years in a row, they won the last two in back-to-back fashion. Schultz and Curry enjoy the best work life ever on the field of dreams as masters of their game.

For Schultz it’s been about building a world-class brand. For Curry it’s been about building a Warriors team dynasty. Their achievements are so many to mention but what they seem to have in common tells us something about what it takes to be masters of our own game and have the best work life.

Their success reminds us of what it means to act like a player and think like a brand. In our early days of primary/secondary education that’s essentially what we’re learning. In that case it’s a cross between school and sports. But in our adult years it’s a cross between how we develop socially and professionally.

What we learn from Schultz is a sense for how we brand our skills. In the case of Curry we might see how to swag our skills. Those skills have helped to build their competencies into a global franchise and all-star professional. They’ve been through the good, bad & scary and came out ahead by managing:

  1. Passion points vs selling points

Curry’s got game and as a player he thrives on his unique passion points. Schultz’s got mojo as a market leader and helped the biz thrive on its unique selling points. Whether it’s your passion points or selling points these can have different levels of impact starting from the ground-up and starring at the top.

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  1. Bad pain vs bad press

Both had some downtime (or dark time) in their careers. More recently, Curry was out with a sprained ankle. Schultz had to deal with the discrimination incident at a Philly store. Being masters of their game forced them to be ‘twice-baked.’ That’s where you have to grow both personally and professionally.

  1. Skills ballin’ vs niche rollin’

Every year the NBA draft welcomes a new class of players. Some make it through training camp and the Combines to eventual become a household name. A similar journey happens for an emerging brand or ‘on the verge’ artist. What we’ve seen Curry and Schultz do is turn skills into ballin’ and niche into rollin’.

  1. Good fit vs big hit

There’re times we see players on a team for years without making it to the championships. Then they’re traded to another team and somehow things begin to click. Curry hasn’t had a need to be traded and Schultz didn’t jump ship to another brand. They simply became a good fit on the team and a big hit for the fans.

Curry says he’s looking to win a few more rings. Schultz says he’s open to new opportunities in philanthropy and public service. There’re rumors that he might even have an eye on higher office. When their hall-of-fame story is told there’ll be moments when you realize how they enjoyed the best work life.

Tip: Whether it’s becoming a world-class brand or first-rate player, the good ones know how to turn their skills into thrills and their passion points into a big hit.

Talkback: Who should get NBA league MVP this season: Steph, Harden, or Lebron?

Tracks: Carrie Underwood ft Ludacris – The Champion – https://youtu.be/HgknAaKNaMM

Ne-Yo – Good Man – https://youtu.be/3xv9YIOKIZw

Gabrielle Union and Taraji P. Henson Describe What They Did to ‘Bring It’ Which Helped Them Move into the Spotlight

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The Forbes list of ‘Top 400’ richest people in America is out. Guess who’s again #1? It’s not someone in real estate. Instead you might be reading this from a Microsoft-powered gizmo he made famous. Then there’re those on the list who’ve made their names in the retail, media, and financial services sectors.

Going from ‘loss to boss’ is something they may have experienced. Along the way they figured-out how to find their power, turn the tide, shift their stride and rock a new pride. That’s true for Gabrielle Union & Taraji P Henson as their careers and dreams look to celebrate with a toast; wine or champagne anyone?

They describe what they did to ‘bring it’ which helped move them into the spotlight. Union is on a book tour talking about going beyond the bumps and stumps. For Henson, it’s been a journey of believing and delivering the goods in ways that when she looks back she might say to self “I always knew I could.”

It’s kinda like now you see them and then you see them even more. They’re in a zone for sure that has something to do with more than their celebrity. They’re bringing it like an athlete who’s got things working in his or her favor. The ball just responds to their every move. The effort seems to roll in a good groove.

Their stories of ‘pomp and circumstance’ are the lessons that got turned into blessings. Union spent her early years as a modeling agency intern. That helped open the doors to her passion and ‘sista girl’ appeal. While it seems to some like they’ve taken us by storm, they’re really becoming a market force.

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At times it took meeting the right people and getting the right breaks to move them into the spotlight. But in between those times, it took powering their game the way we charge our devices. They made themselves plug-compatible to career situations that would either make that money or break that barrier.

Union has been sharing her personal take on some of the social issues of our time. But she’s also been giving us a peak into her infertility struggles. Henson spent some time sharing the loss of her long-time pet. But it’s the parts of their stories that hit dead center that can be a charging source to push us further.

I remember years ago when a co-worker shared feedback that hit me dead center. It took a while to get what they were saying with these words: ‘You’re good at speaking to and speaking through people.’ That comment was a great charging source on my journey. Since then I’ve been using it to power my dreams.

Plus, the feedback put things on a course where I’d ‘bring it’ with a new flow. I’d see how going through the motion wasn’t enough for a promotion. There’s a time for going through the motion just like there’s a time to blink. But Union and Henson saw how to turn their flow into a source, a force and showbiz course.

They might tell us what work, play and everyday are about. It’s starting off sexy, keeping things alive and doing their best to strive. When it’s all said and done we may remember a line from their movies. But the things that tend to move us most are people’s storylines of doing something brave or achieving the rave.

Tip: Making work, play & the everyday come alive is about doing something brave or achieving the rave.

Talkback: What’s the part of their story that hits you dead center?

Tracks: Chaka Khan – Keep Your Head Up – https://youtu.be/88DS-T7Ypa4

Neyo – Champagne Life – https://youtu.be/gqayCgvI_uI

Ne-Yo & Diddy Put Their Money Where Their Heart is While Still Making Things Hot #BigTimeUniversity

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#BigTimeUniversity – “Small Talk, Street Dreams, Next Level”

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny? (Or Just Fun!)

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (Old-School Flava)

The Met Gala is still bringing the stars out in full effect. There went a pregnant Serena Williams and a radiant Rihanna on the Red Carpet. It seems Diddy got tired of standing while his girl posed for pictures. These days he and Ne-Yo are putting their money where their heart is while still making things hot.

Recently Ne-Yo decided to invest in a school for the next crop of tech stars. He told Tech Crunch “This is not, ‘oh, let me attach my name to something.’ This is something that I’m genuinely passionate about.” They’re investing time and money in the next chance for others to grind by making passion do what it do!

They’re still doing their thing working with new artists and emerging talent. That’s how Diddy made a name for himself in the record business. But they want to prepare students not just for the passion worlds of ballers and beats. So they’re providing the training to help launch whiz kids for the tech-savvy world.

Social media went crazy when Diddy decided to sit on the stairs at the Met Gala entrance. Not long ago he was the one going crazy about Kendrick Lamar’s new album. But after Diddy opened a school in Harlem last year, he’s using his talents to connect students with the passion worlds of brains and biz too.

Ne-Yo’s looking forward to his next music project soon. Diddy is looking ahead to the unfolding of his latest legacy project. They’re not doing things just as a means to making more ends but also as a way for social uplift through the box office and hometown blocks. Just look what their ‘passion fruit’ can do!

Groove-Track: Faith Evans  – I Deserve It – https://youtu.be/h5vGsj3V2bE

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (New-School Flava)

Met Gala brought stars out at night. A pregnant Serena looking out of sight. Red Carper radiant was Ri-Ri. In full effect they’d be. Seems Diddy got tired of standing. With girl friend he was photo bombing. These days he and Ne-Yo doing their part. Putting money where their heart. Still making things hot start.

Ne-Yo drops some dollaz for the kids. Investing in next crop of tech star bids. Telling Tech Crunch it’s not just about using his name. But about bridging the passion of his game. Something he feels hopeful about. Maybe a way to lend showbiz clout. Next chance for others to grind. Do what it do and being kind.

Still working with artists and fresh talent. That’s more than a passing comment. How Diddy made a name in biz. Now providing training for the next whiz. Beyond the world of ballers and beats. To a world of reaching new feats. With the tech-savvy tools of today. Where kids learn to code for their payday.

Social media was abuzz. Diddy sat on Met stairs as if ‘What’s up cuz?’ Not long ago he was going crazy good. About Kendrick Lamar’s new album from the ‘hood. A year ago Diddy opened new school. So kids learn more than the golden rule. In the passion worlds of biz and brains. Students can achieve new gains.

Ne-Yo readying for new music mix. Diddy looking ahead to latest legacy fix. Not doing stuff just for the ends. But also for message social uplift sends. Some projects at box office or hometown blocks. So folks can decide not to mess with the glocks. By seeing how ‘passion fruit’ can boost their stocks.

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Tip: When passion comes through it makes the grind do what it do.

Talkback: Did Diddy steal the show from his girl or just stepped back to watch her shine?

Groove-Tracks: Drake – Passionfruit – https://youtu.be/0RBhllKnmtM

Morris Day – Over that Rainbow – https://youtu.be/Bjiedmy-cD8

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

Shanice Williams & Tori Kelly go from Unknown to Household Names in Blink of a Dream #BigTimeUniversity

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (Old-School Flava)

NBC’s doing more ‘Live TV’ magic with The Wiz. Its star, 19 year-old Shanice Williams. She isn’t the only new face in entertainment. Recording artist Tori Kelly is being named Billboard’s breakthrough artist of 2015. Williams and Kelly are going from relative unknown to household names in the blink of a dream.

On landing the role Williams tells the NY Post “It wouldn’t process in my head, for some reason. I had some Chipotle after that and then just wanted to go to sleep and wake up so I knew I wasn’t dreaming!” Reality is what happened to her from dreaming about being selected best-in-class for a major project.

They spent years dreaming about being where they are today. Kelly started out on Youtube and was later discovered. For Williams it was in watching others perform on stage and seeing herself. After the past year in LA theater school she returned to her NJ home and auditioned for the role, beating-out 300 girls.

Pursuing our dreams is a lot like watching the TV weather map projected on green screen. There’re seasons, patterns and flows along with Highs and Lows. But a click can make things change on screen in the blink of an eye. Williams might say it’s a God-click that’s changed her situation in the blink of a dream.

Above all, their dreams took strength, courage and homespun wisdom. So they’re now working at a higher ‘jet stream’ with other big names in showbiz. A radiant smile and seasoned performances will make them ready for more big things. That’s why it’s not over until the phone rings or dreamline blings.

Groove-Track: India Arie – ‘Strength, Courage and Wisdom’ – https://youtu.be/LzUTZUONyms

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (New-School Flava)

The magic of ‘Live TV.’ In The Wiz on NBC. Shanice Williams the newest star. Ready to takeoff and go far. Not only new face on the block. Artist Tori Kelly set to take stock. Being named Billboard’s artist of the year. With some new music to hear. From relative unknown in talent. To ‘blink of a dream’ in their assent.

Williams landing lead role. To NY Post she shares her soul. At first not able to process in her head. What the show’s caller just said. Needing to grab a bite and take a nap. Before seeing if dream was in her lap. Reality is what happened after that. Her dream selection for best-in-class project stat.

Spent years dreaming about a day. When they wouldn’t have words to say. Kelly, first as a Youtube standout. Being discovered was her handout. Williams watched others on stage. Before seeing herself on cover page. The past year in LA theater school. Then back home to audition and beat the pool.

Pursuing dreams like heard on weather call. Or TV’s green screen forecast wall. Having seasons, patterns and flows. Along with nature’s highs and lows. But a click can make quick change. In blink of an eye a new range. Williams saying ‘Big Daddy’ got her ready to blow. Blink of a dream becomes a show.

Strength, courage homespun wiz-dom above all. Things that make dreams stand tall. Reaching a higher ‘jet stream’ in fame. Working with others having big name. Radiant smile, seasoned performances in their game. For new things above the same. It’s not over until the phone rings. Or at least the dreamline blings.

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Tip: Our dreams take strength, courage and homespun wiz-dom or a magical audition for the good life.

Talkback: Who would it have been great to see perform in the latest re-do of The Wiz?

Groove-Tracks: ‘Empire’ Cast – “Bout 2 Blow” – https://youtu.be/ClC-5j23Flg


One Republic – ‘Good Life’ – https://youtu.be/jZhQOvvV45w

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST