Making changes in the world is primarily personal, as many changemakers have set out to put in place those things they wish they had. For Nick Laureano, he felt the absence of a role model as a kid, and as an adult, he does not want any other child to go through that. So, he has built a brand out of motivational speaking and has committed himself to being the role model many young people do not naturally have.
Nick Laureano grew up fighting many battles and navigating challenges all by himself. His experiences taught him more about being in tune with himself, and he pushed himself, wiped his tears and endured a lot of pain to become who he is today.
“I don’t wish any of that on anyone, so my goal has always been to motivate and uplift any and all who may be stuck finding out who they really are and be that beacon of light to help them get over the obstacles needed for a better life,” he explained.
The Nick Laureano brand represents so many things, most important of which are the core values attached to his person—self-worth, love, discipline, respect, and compassion. He believes that everyone could use a little bit of these things while offering the same to other people to make the world better. His passion is to speak life into every human being on planet earth and be a significant contributor to fulfilling their full potential. The 26-year-old from Brockton, MA, hopes to guide his audience in the right direction and help them see their self-worth and uniqueness.
“Battling things alone builds you strong, but some give up as they feel no one is in their corner to back them up. I want to be that person that saves a life and pours from my cup into their own,” Nick said.
Nick urges everyone he speaks to never to forget why they embarked on a journey in the first place. He admonishes them to run their race and not build someone else’s kingdom. He never fails to mention that difficulties are a part of life and the important thing is never to fold, no matter the pressure. Nick Laureno puts in the work with his brand and makes sure he’s the hardest worker. His life’s work is geared towards leaving his mark on humanity and helping someone get closer to their dreams.
His merchandise brand Only The Motivated takes his motivational activities to a new level as people globally get to wear his clothing items with inspiring inscriptions on them. “I want to be the person kids wear on their t-shirts when they are at school, saying they look up to me. I want to be the one who gives back to the youth or the less fortunate, seeking nothing in return but to see them win and be happy,” he said.
Over the next few years, he hopes to see many people he has influenced become better in their lives, careers and chosen fields. He also hopes to continue shining his light and knowledge on others while developing himself to be a recognized personality, actor, speaker and influencer.
“I hope to be known for many things, but I want the world to see that I did it my own way and the right way,” he said.
Everyone has dreams. We all desire to follow those dreams. Many young dancers, boys, and girls, dream of becoming professional dancers. The famous ballet teacher David Howard once said in a Dance Teacher interview,” If you are okay with the reality of knowing that less than 25% of your students will become professional dancers, then you are prepared to become a dance teacher.” Dance can be a tough profession, like any sector in the entertainment industry – especially for Black dancers. As many dance institutions embrace the trending topic of diversity and inclusion – increasing numbers of Black and Brown students in dance studios across the US – Black ballet activity is still as similar as it was in previous years with minor exceptions. With the COVID pandemic, a constant presence in global societies, new innovations, and prospectives have solidified into new best practices; shaping the future of the industry sectors en masse. Shawn Short is the Founding Director of Dissonance Dance Theatre in Washington, DC. Dissonance Dance Theatre is the only nationally recognized Black-managed contemporary ballet company between New York City and Atlanta – a program of Ngoma Center for Dance. Short is building Black autonomy in the DC ballet sector through Dissonance Dance Theatre and its parent organization Ngoma Center for Dance; ushering a new era of ballet artistic innovation, larger enrollment of Black ballet students, and a greater dialogue into the future of the industry.
Washington, DC has a Black dance history that is vast. Since 1932, the time of DC’s roaring 30s Black U Street history, Black dance artists have been a part of the fabric of DC’s social culture. It all began when Bernice Hammond (a Howard University alumnae) established the first dance studio as a licensed DC business for U Street Black socialites. Short, a native of the DC area, embraced said history and quickly dedicated more than 10 years to develop spaces for developing and increasing the visibility of Black dance artists and ensembles. In the past, Shawn has established an online bi-monthly (Ngoma Reader Magazine) to promote minority dance artists, and outreach/education programs (Dawn: A Black Men’s Initiative). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theater from Howard University, a Master’s in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a PGC in Business Management from the University of Liverpool.
Artistic Innovation
Wanting to create a host institution for African-American dance activity, Short founded Dissonance Dance Theatre (DDT) in 2007 and Ngoma Center for Dance – DDT’s parent organization – in 2012. Short believes in creating a space for Black artist choreographers, music collaboration, and dance artist development.
“One of the 11 small-but-mighty dance companies outside of LA and NYC”, by Dance Spirit Magazine, Dissonance Dance Theatre’s contemporary voice feeds on diversity, looking for choreographers who build works from a solid classical ballet foundation, and a contemporary dance style. Through DDT’s Guest Choreographer program, choreographers have honed their skills and have developed into emerging talent; working in major dance spaces. Emerging Black Choreographer Kameron N. Saunders, dance maker of DDT’s contemporary ballet Unsettled, recently received Jacob’s Pillow’s Ann & Weston Hicks choreographic fellowship, gaining the opportunity to work with Lines Ballet’s Founding Artistic Director Alonzo King. Saunders also presented at Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s Emerging Choreographer Showcase. Moreover, it is not common for many Black dance entities to house resident choreographer programs. Through this insight, Short has developed DDT’s resident choreographer position to provide new choreographic talent the opportunity to work with contemporary ballet dancers annually.
In regards to musician collaborators, Shawn’s vision of building a space open to Black creatives is working. From Blues Alley jazz band Sine Qua Non under the direction of Black bass player Michael Bowie, to local Black DC rapper Tru Ghost, Dissonance Dance Theatre has created a space for Black musical artists to work with classically-trained dancers. With more than 120 works in its repertoire, approximately 90% of DDT’s repertoire has been created through Black choreographic or musical genius.
Nothing can be done, artistically in dance, without the talent of dancers. Short has built a system to bring more Black dancers into the ballet industry, who normally would not have had the opportunity. The Ngoma School was founded in 2014 by Shawn Short, establishing a DC area home for Black ballet students. Under Shawn’s artistic planning, Ngoma Center for Dance invested $100,000 to bring a Black pre-professional ballet program to professional-dance barren Prince George’s County, MD – a suburb of DC. Dissonance Dance Theatre has produced a space that celebrates the African-American experience through choreographic innovation and artist development. Many of DDT’s African-American dancers, especially the company’s male dancer roster, are emerging artists who seek additional mentorship. Short has worked hard to provide personal and professional mentorship through artistic partnerships with former artists from companies such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Stuttgart Ballet. Many DDT alumni have graced the stages of companies nationally and internationally.
Industry Dialogue
As the Creative Producer of Black Dance Festival DMV, Black to Silver: A Black LGBT Experience, Ngoma Reader Magazine (a minority artist magazine), and many others, Short’s arts contributions – celebrating Black dancer representation – span across more than 15 years in the DC area.
New innovation in technology and production, is key for any business sector. Since the dawn of the COVID pandemic, the arts sector has attempted to gain its footing as the industry has suffered from closings and low-event participation. Launched in the summer of 2020 in partnership with Dog Bark Media (a DC-based media company), Short’s newest innovation – Ngoma Film Works (NFW) – is founded highlighting urban and classic dance society, human relationships, cultural history, and “visual-choreo” art through documentaries and narrative film.
Short, now a holder of a certification in TV and Film from New York University’s Tisch School has embarked on and released two award-winning films since the program’s launch – His Eyes Saw Dance (2020), and Mute (2021). NFW has seen its films screened locally, nationally, and internationally – winning an award for best dance film at the Cannes World Film Festival, and selection at American Dance Festival’s Movies by Movers Film Festival. Short is finding new routes to increase the visibility of Black creativity.
A dancer can wait for traditional ballet companies to catch up in the diversity department. However, the likelihood of there being a massive amount of opportunity is unlikely. Short is building Black ballet autonomy in the DC ballet sector through Dissonance Dance Theatre and its parent organization Ngoma Center for Dance. As he ushers in a new era of ballet artistic innovation, Shawn is bringing his community of artists and supporters. Secondly, through The Ngoma School, he is increasing his organization’s capacity to enlarge enrollment of Black ballet students. Lastly, sustainability is key for Black ballet entities to increase their visibility. Short is thinking about the future as he grows his organization’s film program through his public/private partnership with Dog Bark Media LLC – a Black-owned media company. Like Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), varied voices (who are granted autonomy) are essential in building a better future, and community. Shawn is taking on the massive race challenge, within the ballet industry…step by step.
Following the tremendous success of his five-track EP in 2021 on multiple streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, rising artist and DJ personality DJ Don Nova is looking forward to releasing his new album set to drop in the fourth quarter of 2022.
DJ Don Nova, also known as Don Noble, is a multi-talented artist from Queens, New York. He has built a reputation for himself with his musical abilities, fashion sense, and business acumen. Using music as an avenue to express himself and connect with people from all walks of life, he is steadily rising through the ranks of the music industry. In addition to his talent, his passion for his craft and attitude towards life has enabled him to be the best at what he does.
The musician puts himself to high standards and always strives to create something of value that reflects his character. Furthermore, he believes in not imposing limitations on himself, thus paving the way for his versatility and ability to adapt to a range of musical genres. With his talent, DJ Don Nova has managed to perform with elite hip-hop artists and DJs around the US and build a solid international fanbase.
When asked what sets him apart from others, DJ Don Nova insightfully said. “I feel like I have a lot of things that people can learn from. I can enlighten people on a lot of different things as well. As an artist DJ, people see how I put together fashion and incorporate that into my music as well.”
DJ Don Nova firmly believes that the music industry is big enough and should be inclusive of everyone. Therefore, rather than competing with others, he concentrates his efforts on honing his skills and mastering his musical style. “I don’t feel like I have competition. The only person I’m really competing with is myself,” said DJ Don Nova.
His desire to constantly improve knows no bounds, and he is always in pursuit of success and the chance to broaden his horizons. Following his breakthrough as a DJ, DJ Don Nova ventured into real estate and now works in a real estate development and consulting firm in New York City. As his musical and entrepreneurial careers keep on progressing, most can agree that DJ Don Nova has what it takes to succeed in anything he puts his mind to.
DJ Don Nova hopes to connect with more people and establish a global network in the near future, giving way to his plans of creating a conglomerate where he can integrate entertainment and real estate. On top of building his own brand, he also sees himself being a huge name in the entertainment industry with seven charting albums and winning the Grammys.
Showing no signs of slowing down soon, this is just the beginning of DJ Don Nova’s plans for himself in the future. He is an inspiration of how no goal is ever too big for someone willing to dream and work for it.
As announcements of The Crown filming Season 5 last July took off, the phenomenal Netflix series made a royal buzz in the entertainment industry. The streaming giant is yet to release the latest season of the hit historical drama, but Netflix has already released hints of what fans could expect at the return of the British royal.
The Crown Season 5 will explore the lives of the British royal family during the early ’90s, an era of incredible vibrancy paired with some trivial challenges that changed the course of Britain’s history, including the rocky marriage of Prince Charles and Diana. According to Variety, Season 5 is likely to focus on 1992, which was declared by the Queen as “Annus Horribilis” or “horrible year.” Besides Charles and Diana, this season will also feature the other two of Queen Elizabeth’s children who were also separated from their spouses, causing a rollercoaster ride at Windsor Castle.
During her message in 1992 to mark the 40th year of her reign, Queen Elizabeth told the press, “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an Annus Horribilis.” It can be recalled that 1992 was indeed a year filled with controversy for the British family. From the fire that engulfed parts of Windsor Castle to the leaked, intimate phone calls exchanged between Princess Diana and James Gilbey.
Insiders also speculate that Season 5 will likely end with the iconic interview Diana had with BBC’s Panorama in 1995. The effects of the interview still ripple until today, and with the popularity of The Crown, people are gaining even more interest in the feud.
The Crown Season 5 will cover more exciting points in the lives of the British Royals, including Prince Charles admitting adultery on television, Prince William’s transition as the first senior royal to attend Eton, a glimpse of the royal family participating in the Cool Britannia wave, Diana’s earliest involvement with philanthropic works globally, and more.
Along with more notable British royal moments, The Crown Season 5 also welcomes new faces. Netflix recently released the first photo of Imelda Staunton taking on the period role as Queen Elizabeth. The steamer also released snaps of Tenet star Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Dominic West as Prince Charles, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Jonny Lee Miller as the former Prime Minister and British politician John Major, and more.
Netflix assures fans that the dramatic visualization of the lives of British royals will continue to reign through season 6. “As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story, we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons,” Peter Morgan told People. “To be clear, Series 6 will not bring us any closer to the present-day—it will simply enable us to cover the same period in greater detail.
