“The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association”

The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association wad Founded in 1980 by a group of African American attorneys. The association is an outlet for African American attorneys in the entertainment and sports industry to share information, and stay abreast on industry opportunities, while offering support to one another in this very competitive field.

BESLA’s mission is “ An international organization of lawyers and other entertainment and sports industry executives that supports a more diversified, expert and informed group of entertainment and sports industry professionals”. BESLA has the purpose to influence equal economic and decision-making for these legal and creative talent representatives as well as develop business relationships, and facilitate business affairs and opportunities for people of color.

One of the biggest activities for BESLA is their annual conference. This year will be the 32^nd annual conference. The conference is a networking opportunity but also a chance to extend there purpose. The conference is filled with workshops, seminars and scholarship awarding to students pursuing entertainment law. This years conference is October 24, 12 – October 28, 12 in The Bahamas. They offer opportunities for students, practicing attorneys, and non-members to attend.

Activities like this influence the entertainment industry by allowing opportunity for more young people of color to aspire the role of an entertainment attorney. It’s also a way for students like myself to help aid to our professional learning network. Being surrounded and mentored by some of the best in the industry that you can relate to on many levels is an opportunity not worth passing up. BESLA gives opportunity for African American Attorneys to equally dominate the industry of entertainment and sports.  It’s also a educational resource to learn from the best in the industry and share knowledge among others that have the same interest.

To find out more info about the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association visit http://www.besla.org/

"Project Management 101"

This post is dedicated to my fellow classmates of "Project and Team Management".

We've all been presented with the duty to show what we can do as project managers. The biggest hurdle for us all, I would say is learning exactly what it means to be a project manager. For some of us we just want to present a well proposed plan and others are still trying to figure out the first step.

One of my favorite shows to date is "The Celebrity Apprentice". As I watched the past week or so a light bulb went off in my head. This is the perfect show to help us all be guided in the right direction. Everything doesn't always go well for these well known celebs and even though we expect them all to be great we truly get to see who has it and who doesn't.

I've truly found that watching this has helped me to understand the role of a project manager. How to deligate and work within a team. It's also been a well example of how planning can be your making or breaking point. Donald Trump is probably one of the most prestigious people known. His sense of business is impeccable. Through his assessments you always get great tips and just a little peace of his wisdom.

This show has truly been helpful to me. Its not only help aid in my thinking process for this course but its helped me think for the future. I get the opportunity to brainstorm how I want to lead and run my company. The show airs Sundays @ 9PM on NBC. I hope you guys will check it out and I would love to hear your thoughts on the show as it relates to this course.