djfusion

Dr. Jasmine Zapata, also known as Dr. Jas, is an author, a community advocate, and the owner of Motivational MD Publishing.

A direct descendant of slaves, she felt heavily impacted when learning the repercussions of slaves learning to read, write, or self-educate in any way. Black slaves, if caught trying to read or learn, would be beaten, whipped, or could have fingers chopped off as punishment. The white citizens caught helping slaves with their education would face fines. Slaves were held back from education because their oppressors knew that if the enslaved were educated, they would know the severity of their situation and rebel. This oppression has led to generations of racial inequality. 

“Never stop learning! Our education is our ticket to freedom. Education will take you so many places.” This is advice Dr. Jas received from her grandfather, who lived through the civil rights era. Taking that advice to heart, she’s been in school from age 5 all the way through age 32.  

Motivational MD Publishing is Jasmine’s own form of resistance. She has helped birth a new generation of authors by recruiting like-minded writers and providing a method to share Black stories, truths, and traumas, helping guide these new authors through the process of publishing their own books. Motivational MD Publishing is about empowering, healing, and uplifting the next generation of youth. In 2017 Dr. Jas authored an empowering book series for girls. Beyond Beautiful – A Girl’s Guide To Unlocking the Power of Inner Beauty, Self Esteem, Resilience & Courage, which sent her on a 14 day national tour spreading the strong message to our nation’s young women. This February, during Black History Month, Dr. Jas is releasing Beyond Beautiful 2 – A Girl’s Guide To Studying Self-Care & Staying Focused During Difficult Times.

You’re invited to the virtual book launch celebrating Beyond Beautiful 2 – A Girl’s Guide to Studying Self-Care & Staying Focused During Difficult Times.  RSVP for FREE today at www.beyondbeautifultour.org for the launch party on February 13th at 3pm CST.  

Over the month of February, DJ Fusion will connect with unique, local, Black-owned businesses, each of whom will share a piece of Black history that is personal to them or something that may not have been taught, traditionally, in schools.

Learn More at – www.madtownjamz.com/bhm/

Greg Doby, also known as G!Nx, is the owner of Unidec music, a creative company in Madison, WI offering mentoring and professional services for aspiring artists & producers. 

G!Nx is the first producer from Madison, WI to have major label placements.  Notably, one of the beats he wrote was purchased by Lloyd Banks of G-Unit, bringing the midwest sound into New York Hip Hop. The same beat later became the song “Karma” ft Avant, and went Platinum on the charts, solidifying G!nx as a certified national producer and inspiring youth for generations to come.

G!Nx produced for one of  the first Hip Hop groups in Madison – The Fresh Force, whose members included Johnny Winston Jr, Richard Henderson, Erin Hynum, Oren Ben-Ami and Emanuel Whitfield.  Fresh Force was signed to DJ International in 1990 and all members of the Force have continued to be strong, iconic, Black Men in the Madison Community. 

G!Nx also pioneered the first independent record label in Madison, WI – Regime Records.  Artists include the likes of Rob DZ, The Crest, Ghetto F.A.B., Keon Andre and Club Mecca.  The foundations of Regime Records laid the way for Unidec Music to thrive. 

G!Nx partnered with another local Black business, DLK Printing, to create an AfroCentric clothing line.  Black Power Gear makes a statement and celebrates African American culture with custom retro clothing and instills positivity. 

www.unidecmg.com

http://www.fresh-force.net/

www.blackpowergear.com

Over the month of February, DJ Fusion will connect with unique, local, Black-owned businesses, each of whom will share a piece of Black history that is personal to them or something that may not have been taught, traditionally, in schools.

Learn More at – www.madtownjamz.com/bhm/

Jeff Patterson, owner of JP Hair Design, opened up shop in 1998 in a studio by himself. When JP opened, he had been trained for 2 years by iconic local barber, Taylor “Smitty” Smith. Smitty was the first licensed Black barber in the city of Madison.  A quiet leader, Smitty never talked about money–he always talked about community, individuals, and loving people. JP has definitely followed Smitty’s lead.  In 2016, when Smitty passed, JP assisted in setting up the Taylor “Smitty” Smith Scholarship, which provides tuition, books, and equipment for an apprentice student in barbering or cosmetology at Madison College.

JP Hair Design now has 10 active barber chairs. In 2016 JP Hair Design added a Men’s Health and Wellness Center inside the shop; the first ever barber shop in the nation to feature an education center onsite.  

JP Hair Design

584 Grand Canyon Dr
Madison, WI 53719

(608) 829-1143

https://www.jphairdesign.com

https://www.facebook.com/jp.hairdesign

https://www.instagram.com/jphairdesign/

Over the month of February, DJ Fusion will connect with unique, local, Black-owned businesses, each of whom will share a piece of Black history that is personal to them or something that may not have been taught, traditionally, in schools.

Learn More at – https://www.www.madtownjamz.com/bhm/