Name: Genai “Q” Reeves (aka Mr.Everything)
Age: 28 years old
Profession: Founder of Coaching to Success, President of Gifted Hand Productions, PKA Bossman, and songwriter/entertainer
One word that describes you: Irreplaceable
What does being one of the BEMM 100 Men of Distinction mean to you?
First and foremost, I am humbled and honored. To me, the honor means I am doing what I am supposed to do as human being and representative of the African American community. I never wanted to easily survive, but to meaningfully exist. My accomplishments are nothing more than what I deem my responsibility as a mentor, philanthropist, entertainer, and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Everything I have accomplished is rooted in wanting to see others succeed and be happy, never for recognition.
What are some examples of how you turned struggle into success?
Growing up, I struggled as a student, but I managed to get by. A teacher, Mr. Ernest Peterson, noticed, “He can’t read. He’s memorizing things, and he’s reading ahead to make sure he doesn’t stutter and stumble over words.” Then, he went beyond what the standard of teaching was to help acclimate me to where I should have been. What he did now stands as the foundation for Coaching To Success. He made me want to educate others and helped me to obtain three degrees, and multiple honors, awards, and accolades.
What is an important quality you look for in your relationships with others?
Good energy. People’s energy speaks to you before they do.
What are some immediate projects you are working on?
Myself, most importantly. But, there are a few other projects in the works. As far as Coaching To Success, we are expanding into California and taking 10 new students into our mentorship program.
Breaking Bread is a community service initiative with partners including Hip-Hop Gives Back, We Fight 4 Kidz, and Blu Royalty. We host a day party with live music and dancing while making bag lunches for those in need, and go out in the community to hand them out. This event has been a blessing to thousands of people in Atlanta, Miami, and the DMV area. Now I am looking to add California to the list.
Gifted Hand Productions has partnered with entertainment management and consultant LLC, Universal Music Group, to give emerging artists a chance to distribute their music throughout Universal Music Group. Our artists, Antonio Ramsey and Black Dove, will be releasing their projects under this distribution deal, too.
We are also working on a west coast college tour, and we are partnering with FMG to open a new recording studio in Atlanta. I assure you, this is going to be the go-to studio in Atlanta. As an entertainer, I am always working and moving. Radio is our next big project; I have done a number of guest spots, but my own show is in the works.
What is the best advice you ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from two different people. The first is from Bobby Hill when he said, “There’s a difference between being active and productive.” There are a lot of people who appear to be busy on the scene, but they aren’t actually being productive in the sense of growing and developing. The second is from DJ Kid Capri when he said, “Treat people with respect, and make yourself easy to work with and for.”
What is some advice you have for other men who want to make a difference?
Remain organic and understand everything is a process. Don’t try to cut corners or skip steps.
How do you prep for an important business meeting and/or event?
When prepping for a business meeting, I go back into student mode. I research everything on the topic, the person, and the company. When going to an event, I have a few routine must-do’s: I listen to my music the whole way, until reaching the venue (while wearing shades, of course). I listen to the theme song from The Golden Girls, which was my second mother’s favorite TV show, and also to “Say Ah” by Trey Songz.
As a busy Modern Man, how do you unwind on vacation? Share a story about your best vacation.
My best vacation was to Jamaica. Although I’m money conscience, Jamaica is the one place we splurge on a full staff, including a chef, butler, maid, and private villas. Jamaica is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I enjoy it to the fullest and I party as much as I relax.
If you could travel and stay anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would travel to a private island, because my work keeps me consistently involved with other people. Taking time for myself to debrief and unwind is so important. It can be easy to lose yourself inside of certain careers, and that’s not what I want or who I want to be. I learned it’s okay to be selfish sometimes, and it’s okay to say, “No. I need to be alone and relax.” I can’t be everything for everyone and nothing for myself.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Everything that I am, that I’ve achieved, and what I am going to achieve is rooted in the people who have supported me. It is rooted in those who have encouraged me, when I couldn’t encourage myself. To my uncles, my mothers (yes mothers), and the Huber’s (just to name a few)—thank you!
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