Image

Paul R. Williams: Dream Builders Story

Written By: Jamie Baker
February 2, 2016

In honor of Black History Month and in connection with our 4th annual FOSDP Presents The Dream Builders Awards Luncheon which will take place Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Dream Builders Story

Paul R. Williams: Architect (1894-1980)

We wanted to share some extraordinary Dream Builders throughout history who have paved the way for so many Americans today.

Paul R. Williams was born February 18, 1894, in Los Angeles California. Paul is an architect who designed LAX theme building, one of the most monumental landmarks in California history. As an architect, Paul experienced racism which he used as a catalyst to continue working hard and breaking records as well as stereotypes of black people. Paul R. Williams taught himself how to draw upside down. Many of the homes designed by Paul R. Williams were in segregated neighborhoods.

In 2011, FOSDP had the opportunity to interview Paul R. Williams grandson former CEO of Broadway Federal Bank. In our one-on-one interview, Paul Hudson said, “it’s one thing to have a dream written on a piece of paper, but it is a whole other thing to get your dream off the paper and make it a reality.” Sentiments passed down from watching his grandfather persevere against all odds in order to make his dream a reality.  Paul R. Williams is a Dream Builder, who has left a lasting imprint on architecture by creating designs that were built to last a lifetime.

If you are interested in learning more about Redlining policies regarding purchasing housing in California (1934-1968). Alexis C. Madrigal, the Altantic.com

To learn more about the imprint, Paul R. Williams left behind. Pick up your copy of Karen Hudsons book “The Will and the Way”.  A Paul R. Williams book which highlights his career as the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects who designed more than 3,000 buildings from the 1920s to the 1970s

Catch up on our latest Interviews at YouTube/FOSDP. Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts on Paul R. Williams. Make sure you come back daily for more great content.

Lewis Howard Latimer: Dream Builders Story

Written By: Jamie Baker
February 1, 2016

 In honor of Black History Month and in connection with our 4th annual FOSDP Presents The Dream Builders Awards Luncheon which will take place Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Lewis Howard Latimer: Patent Expert (1848-1928)

Lewis Howard Latimer: Patent Expert
(1848-1928)

We wanted to share some extraordinary Dream Builders throughout history who have paved the way for so many Americans today.

Lewis Howard Latimer was born September 4, 1848, in Chelsea Massachusetts. Lewis is an inventor, engineer, patent consultant and author. He was also a self-taught expert at Mechanical drawing. Lewis worked with Alexander Graham Bell helping him draft the patent for his drawing of the telephone. Latimer was well versed in patents and electrical engineering.

In addition to his passion for inventing Lewis “enjoyed other creative pastimes including playing the flute and writing poetry and plays.” Biography.com Editors, Biography.com Website (Watch Biography.com YouTube)

All in all, Lewis Howard Latimer is a Dream Builder because he not only worked hard to pursue his vision as well as watch it become a reality. He also reached back to teach others in his spare time. Lewis never forgot his roots and the importance of helping those who may not have the same opportunities.

Catch up on our latest Interviews at YouTube/FOSDP. Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts on Lewis Howard Latimer. Make sure you come back daily for more great content.

Happy New Year: A Year Full of Blessings on Blessings

Written By: Betty Baker

Happy New Year to Everyone thanks for being a part of the FOSDP family. Your support is not just heartwarming; it makes what we do possible. In the past 12 months, FOSDP has been on a journey to continue bringing you our audience the best content we possibly can. Thank you for watching and engaging in our interviews everything from Designers Kids Tween Charity Fashion show; Khadijah Kay Polly Kay’s Kettle Corn CEO; Lisa Washington CEO of B’Tyli Natural Skin Therapies; Angeles Echols-Brown CEO of Educating Young Minds (EYM); Lucretia Williams CEO Lucretia’s Body Oils and Sprays; FOSDP 3rd Annual Dream Builders  Awards Luncheon.

Happy New Year:2015 Interview Compilation

We also thank you for watching our short clips posted on our Facebook , Pinterest and Instagram, reading our blog post; watching our videos; and subscribing to our YouTube/FOSDP Channel. January 1, 2016, is a blessed day not just because it’s a new year, but because we’ve all been blessed to see a new year. Declare in your mind and your heart that 2016 will be the greatest year of your life.
We give thanks to God for the great year we’ve had and the even greater year ahead

Betty Baker
Founder of FOSDP

 

Make sure you come back daily for more great content.

The Sweet Scent of Success: Lucretia Williams

Written By: Jamie Baker

The Sweet Scent Of Success has found Lucretia Williams, she is the founder and CEO of Lucretia’s Body Oils and Sprays. Lucretia launched her brand in 2007 offering female and male clients a variety of bath and body products. Lucretia specializes in custom-made fragrance oils, whipped body butter and bath bombs.

CEO Lucretia Williams Interview Part 1

Lucretia prides herself on having a reputation for excellent customer service and values her up-close and personal relationship with her clientele. Lucretia’s Body Oils and Sprays services more than 13,000+ clients globally. Starting her business with only $200 Lucretia mentioned in her one-on-one interview with Focusing on Successful Documentary Productions, (FOSDP) how her parents specifically her father inspired her to keep going no matter what obstacles come her way. She also talks about the amount of time it took for her to sell her product successfully.

CEO Lucretia Williams Interview Part 2

Lucretia believes that there is enough room for all women to succeed in business, we should never compete with one another, and instead, we should uplift and encourage one another during difficult times.  Lucretia declared with Confidence, “If it’s meant for me I’m going to get it.”  We also discussed depression and how it impacts women in their daily lives. In Part 3 of our interview, Lucretia offered great tips for dealing with depression.

CEO Lucretia Williams Interview Part 3

Purchase whipped Body Butter, Fragrance oils and more on Lucretia’s Body Oils and Sprays Website

Watch Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of Lucretia Williams Interview; Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts. Make sure you come back daily for more great content.

Belva Davis: A Trailblazer Who Believed in Herself

Written By: Jamie Baker

Who is Belva Davis? Belva Davis is a trailblazer, who “never in her wildest dreams” could have imagined that she would pave the way for women of color in journalism. Growing up in Monroe Louisiana during the great depression, Belva experienced racism firsthand but, she attributes her family and attending church regularly as her guiding light. Belva believed that her financial struggles as a child helped to sharpen her as a woman. In our interview with Belva, she explained that “You don’t have to have all the comforts in the world to be a happy person.”

Belva Davis 1st Female T.V. Journalist Part 1

Belva Davis’s career has lasted for half a century and is still going strong. Belva is one of the most treasured and well-regarded reporters in the west. Belva is married to photojournalist William Moore who witnessed firsthand the stick-to-itiveness it took for Belva to succeed in journalism. In Belva’s one-on-one interview with Focusing on Successful Documentary Productions, (FOSDP) she stated, “You know what the real important issue is here; we can all try to do it were not barred from the opportunity of testing ourselves.”

Belva Davis 1st Female T.V. Journalist Part 2

 

Belva Davis Book Cover

Pick up your copy of Belva Davis book “Never in My Wildest Dreams.” click the link

Watch Part 1 and Part 2 of Belva Davis Interview; Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts. Make sure you come back daily for more great content.

Shades of women Retreat: My Journey

Written By: Jamie Baker

Earlee Washington is the author of four books and two small journals she is also the founder of “Shades of Women Retreat,” a two and a half-day retreat that brings women together from all walks of life to learn and relax. The shades of women retreat have been around for twelve years. Earlee says “It is her goal to share; to learn; to pray, and to help women develop their personal gifts.” She also wants women to shed any fear they may be experiencing due to past hurts or broken relationships. SOW helps women learn to develop their confidence as well as focusing on becoming the best women of God.

Vlog #1 Day 1: Why are you always complaining?

Betty Baker, founder of Focusing On Successful Documentary Productions (FOSDP) has been one of four keynote speakers for Shades of Women retreat since its inception. Each year, Betty labors in prayer hoping that her topic will motivate women attendees,’ to most importantly develop a spiritual connection with God. Above all, Betty utilizes her presentation as a time to teach as well as listen to women as they share their hearts. Betty always advises women at SOW retreat, to seek God for ultimate guidance in all areas of their lives.

Vlog #1 Day 2: Are you Camera Shy?

I thought it would be a great idea to capture on camera what it feels like to attend a retreat with just women. I approached FOSDP founder, my Mom Betty with my plans. I shared why I wanted to capture the retreat. She agreed as long as SOW founder was okay with it.  Earlee agreed and the rest was history. In order to understand my experience, you should watch all three videos because, I give the audience my journey and viewpoint as to why they should attend the 13th SOW retreat.

Vlog #1 Day 3: A Successful Woman is not afraid to share

Remember to pick up your copy of Earlee Washington’s book “Our Journey, Essays on shades of Women.” click the link to purchase.

Watch day 1, day 2 and day 3 vlog and Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts. Make sure you comeback daily for more great content.

Angeles Echols-Brown:Educating Young Minds

Written By: Jamie Baker
A visionary is someone who dreams but a realist is someone who takes their vision and makes it a reality. I once interviewed the former CEO of Broadway Federal Bank, Paul Hudson. During our interview, Mr. Hudson stated, “It’s one thing to have a dream written on a piece of paper, but it is a whole other thing to get your dream off the paper and make it a reality.” As the founder and CEO of Educating Young Minds EYM Mrs. Angeles Echols-Brown embodies all that it means to be a visionary and a realist at the same time. In part 1 of FOSDP one-on-one interview with Angeles Echols-Brown, you can easily see why EYM students are drawn to the program.
Educating Young Minds Part 1

When I first met Mrs. Angeles Echols-Brown. I immediately connected with her confidence, it wasn’t a cocky confidence but the kind that says “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil 4:13 KJV She seems to be the type of woman who believes in her dreams but also does the hard work it takes to see your dreams come true. In particular, our first meeting was during a busy school season. During this time she was overseeing her duties at EYM as well as preparing for EYM annual gala.
Educating Young Minds Part 2

Mrs. Angeles Echols-Brown in our interview shared with me her southern upbringing as well as her mother’s impact on her life and her journey to Los Angeles California. Part 3 of our interview was moving because, Ms. Angeles Echols-Brown with electrifying conviction explained why her confidence is never shaken by the word “no.” Our interview reminded me of the importance of self-refection, looking back on your journey and realizing how far you have come. As you watch part 1, 2 and 3, I hope that you will be motivated to step out on faith and create something that will have a lasting impact on the world as well as future generations.

 Educating Young Minds Part 3

Watch interviews Part 1, 2 and 3  Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts. Make sure you come back daily for more great content.

PHBC 2015 Toy Drive: The Wonder of Giving

Written By: Jamie Baker

Christmas is considered by countless people, as “the most wonderful time of the year.” A time for family, food and gifts; Christmas is special in the hearts of many people, because it is a day; set aside to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. The Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Women’s ministry decided that, instead of exchanging gifts, church members would each bring one unwrapped toy to the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Christmas party. Dr. Sylvester Washington pastor, of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church agreed to the Christmas party being more about giving gifts rather than receiving gifts. The theme chosen for the Christmas party was “The Wonder of Giving.” The toys collected at the Christmas party would be donated to a Homeless shelter or charity in need. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church decided to donate their toys too Harbor Interfaith Services Inc.  

Harbor Interfaith Services Inc. is a non-profit organization serving the south bay communities of Los Angeles California including San Pedro, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lomita, Torrance, Wilmington and Long Beach. In 2014 Harbor Interfaith assisted over 31,000 homeless and working poor people by providing a wide-range of services that helped them out of poverty and onto the road of self-sufficiency. On December 3, 2015, Jamie Baker contacted Diva Ramirez, who is the Executive Assistant for Harbor Interfaith Services Inc. Diva, informed Jamie of Harbor Interfaith Services Inc. wish to collect 400 toys. They were in need of unisex toys for ages 0-18; Diva stated that “the toys donated would greatly impact the lives of deserving families in need.”

 

Dr. Sylvester Washington standing next to donated toys.

Dr. Sylvester Washington Pastor, standing next to donated toys.

The 2015 Christmas planning committee coordinator Jamie Baker, believed that Pleasant Hill Baptist Church could actually collect as many toys as possible, in a short amount time. The Women’s Ministry committee Leader Dolores Jones and Christmas party planning committee worked hard on the party. Making sure every detail was met. Betty Baker (Founder of FOSDP) created the flyer and emailed it to as many people as possible. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church not only received toy donations from church members, but also received toy donations from non-church members who believed in their cause and wanted to help. The Christmas party was held on December 19, 2015 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. In the imperial room, each guest entered the party with an unwrapped toy. Betty Baker was in charge of collecting the toys at the door as each guest walked in. Betty described, a heartwarming encounter she had with an eight year old girl attending the party. The little girl placed her toys in the barrel and exclaimed with tears in her eyes how happy she was that another little girl would be receiving a doll from the Disney movie “Frozen.” “I’m so happy inside! I can’t believe the kids will receive a bike, a frozen doll and cars” How do you feel Ms. Baker? “I’m just as excited as you!”Betty answered her with a smile. After the party ended Betty declared her heartfelt encounter as a moment she would cherish for a lifetime.
Watch the Wonder of Giving video and Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts. Make sure you comeback daily for more great content.

Beauty Inside and Out

Written By: Jamie Baker

Lisa Washington is the founder and CEO of B’Tyli Natural Skin Therapies now known as B’Tyli Wellness and Beauty Co. Lisa created her company with a passion and dedication to helping individuals who are suffering, with skin ailments such as eczema. Lisa has been involved in the beauty industry for more than 30 years.

Lisa Washington one-on-one Interview with FOSDP Part 1

Lisa recently spoke with FOSDP in a candid one-on-one interview where she shared her battle with Kidney Disease. Lisa is married to the love of her life Joseph Washington who donated his kidney to save her life. Lisa is a wife, mother and grandmother.

Lisa Washington one-on-one Interview with FOSDP Part 2

A motto that Lisa proudly proclaims is “if you use what is good for you, it will be good to you.” B’Tyli is dedicated to creating the highest quality ingredients, specializes in anti-aging skincare for sensitive skin.

Lisa Washington one-on-one Interview with FOSDP Part 3

Watch Part 1, 2 and 3 of FOSDP interviews with Lisa Washington and Leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts. Make sure you come back daily for more great content.

-Dream Builders Stories 2015-

BlogPic

 Written By: Jamie Baker

On October 17, 2015, FOSDP presented our 3rd Annual Dream Builders Awards Luncheon honoring ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things. Four Entrepreneurs were honored Lisa Washington, William Victor Scott, Vannessa Wade and Angeles Echols-Brown,

 

Lisa Washington founder and CEO of B’Tyli Shares her Dream Builders Story

William Victor Scott actor, entrepreneur and former boxer

FOSDP Presents the Dream Builders Awards Luncheon; is the brainchild of our founder Betty Baker. Betty says her two dream builders are her parents. Who raised her to be the woman she is today. Betty was interested in knowing whether or not FOSDP Dream Builders Honoree’s had people or persons who helped them become successful, giving and confident individuals.

Vannessa Wade founder and CEO of Connect the Dots PR

Angeles Echols-Brown founder and CEO of Educating Young Minds-EYM

Leave a comment below letting us know whose Dream Builder Story you connected with the most. Make sure you comeback daily for more great content.

TwitterFacebookGooglePinterestYouTube