Kevin Williams
~ 2020 ~
Entrepreneur
of
of
The Year
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Washington, DC Map
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Copa: Where are you from:
Kevin: I was born in Washington, DC, and am a 4th generation Washingtonian. However, because my Dad was in the military, I experienced the opportunity to reside in several areas when I was growing up. I had the privilege of living in Italy at age two to three and Atlanta briefly at age five and growing up in Hawaii from ages seven to ten before moving back to the DC area. |
Washington, DC
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Copa: Which schools have you attended?
Kevin: I studied (Architecture) as my major with a minor in (Business Management) from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. I also graduated locally from High Point SHS, located in Beltsville, Maryland. Copa: Did you establish any businesses before attending college? If so, what were they?
Kevin: Before and during college, I started an architectural drafting service for Architects known as "All Niters Architectural Drafting Service." I later changed this Sole Proprietor Company to a corporation known as "Vess'el Design Group". I sold this company for a quarter of a million ($250K) by the age of 24. Copa: You mentioned earlier that your father was the main influence in your early life, do you speak with him frequently now?
Kevin: In 1994, my Dad (Alvin Williams) and I established Dominion Development Corporation, a real estate development company. In 1998, Dominion won a $6M US HUD Grant Award recognized by the White House along with national recognition in Las Vegas at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) for introducing Giant Food to Washington, DC on our 25-acre master plan of the Congress Heights Shopping Center located in SE Washington, DC. Over the many years, my Dad has been a motivating factor and my most favorable mentor. We have worked together in establishing joint ventures with several notable development and construction companies within the DC area; Such as Tompkins Construction (Tompkins-Dominion), NAI Michael Cos. (Michael-Dominion), the Manekin Corporation (Manekin-Dominion), and now Chartwell Hotels. With that said, we have continued a 25+ year Father & Son TEAM that has created many jobs as we continue to prepare a "Legacy of Excellence for Economic & Community Development while making a difference in several cities as well." Copa: We also understand that you have worked with schools in the Washington, DC area. How did this come about?
Kevin: We established our non-profit organization (formerly Team Champion Academy) in response to being required to set up an employment training program in SE Washington, DC to receive our $6M HUD Grant. Team Champions trained many of the youth who were employed in the DC Metro area during a time when over 1000 jobs were allocated at the new Congress Heights Shopping Center that our Dominion Development company won the $6M HUD grant for DC. We chose to set up at the local high school to train the local students for retail/restaurant jobs due to the many opportunites that would be available. However, the students gravitated more to the Media TV/Entertainment and Broadcasting training that was also being offered. Thus, the genesis of Dream 2 Destiny TV/Films was established when (2 Time Emmy Award Winner & Documentary Filmmaker – Alan Holzman from DreamWorks wanted to co-produce with Kevin Williams (KW) a documentary film on our Team Champions Academy Youth Program in DC. (See YouTube – 3 video trailers "From the Hood to the Hill: The Next Generation" titled after the same book which KW authored (See Amazon.com). Now, KW's wife (Winter) serves as the Executive Director for their newly formed non-profit: (Dream 2 Destiny Foundation) based in Washington, DC, which will benefit the DC area, as well as support those communities that Dominion will develop properties such as in Las Vegas and Miami. "From The Hood To The Hill"Trailer:Part 1:Part 2:Copa: When did you decide to become an Author, and what was the subject matter?
Kevin: I became an author with my book entitled: "From the Hood to the Hill: The Next Generation" after several years of impacting the lives of thousands of youth within urban communities. My book and youth development training supported the book's philosophy of empowering Youth to understand how to be: (1) Respectful, (2) Responsible, and (3) Role Models both in the workplace and at home within their communities. Overall, I have received several awards and acknowledgments for establishing "Best Practices" from the DC Employment Training Offices while also raising over $4M in grant funds for my non-profit organization and receiving $500K in proceeds from my book and Training Contracts. 
Kevin Williams in the studio
Kevin reporting from the D2D Studio
Kevin Williams receiving the Paul Robinson Award
KW experiencing Virtual Reality Goggles
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Copa: What businesses did you establish after attending school?
Kevin: After attending college, I partnered with the architectural firm Bruner Middleton Williams, PC. I later managed an asset buyout with one of DC's largest minority-owned architectural firms in 1994 (Bryant Bryant Williams, PC or BBW Architects). BBW Architects was known for designing the $1Billion Office/Retail/Hotel development known as "Tech-World" in Chinatown DC. The Lansburgh Building, Potomac Mills, and the University of District of Columbia were also notable projects designed by our BBW Architects firm, which won several awards for our Architectural Designs. My most unique project was the 20-50 year master plan for the Nation's Capital area, including the DC waterfront areas and national monuments as commissioned by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). This master plan was featured in the Smithsonian Museum for Tourists to better understand our Nation's Capital's future vision. Copa: At what time did you wish to choose Architecture as a major in college. What was your main influence?
Kevin: During the 5th grade, I was inspired when an Architect came to our class for Career Day and shared the role of an Architect. I was primarily impacted by the fact that Architects can influence how we (people) envision the built environment. Instead, it's a uniquely designed space at home or workplace and/or well-designed school or sports/entertainment complex, the architect's role can truly influence how you interact within your built environment. My primary influence for using architecture and development now is "to transform the fabric of communities’ one building and life at a time." Copa: Please tell us how you acquired the Columbia School of Broadcasting and why?
Kevin: During my time in college studying architecture, we were always drawing plans until sunrise. Therefore, I would volunteer at the radio & television department during the late night/early morning as I enjoyed both of these industry areas as my choice hobbies. Since I had my own radio program, "A Touch of Jazz," on WMUC while on campus, I also enjoyed producing videos of my completed architectural projects. Over time, I established a reputation for producing infomercials for my architectural clients. One such client lived next door to the Jackson Entertainment Family in Gary, Indiana. This client asked me to attend a meeting that included Mr. Joseph "Joe" Jackson (Father of Michael & Janet Jackson). In 1994, The Jackson Family tried to hire an "unassuming" Media Consultant to create videos and radio commercials as they were “quietly” wanting to prepare to launch their Jackson Family-owned Business - JoCola. I was selected because I had produced high-quality video productions but did not have a company or reputation that would draw attention to the press while the Jackson Family was preparing to launch their new cola product to compete against Coke and Pepsi. Before the JoCola launch, Mr. Jackson expressed his appreciation for my communication skills. Thus, he asked me to become the Media Director of the Jackson Family Business to manage the Press Conferences during the launch of JoCola. As I was preparing for a national Press Conference for the JoCola launch, Michael Jackson was being questioned in the press for allegations of working with young children. I experienced first-hand what it was like to become a Media PR spokesperson to the Jackson Entertainment Family during a challenging time. Due to this challenging experience in dealing with national press, I was motivated to expand my career in broadcasting. I was privileged to experience my time with Mr. Joe Jackson and their Family Business. With that said, I was inspired to expand a career in media TV and broadcasting and to also use this skill within my marketing department for my respective architectural and development companies. In addition, from my lessons learned with the Jackson Family, I felt one day I would train a new generation of Media Producers & Broadcasters to deal with the press to better manage media stories with "only the facts" in a compelling but positive light. Thus, creating "positive or tragedy to triumph stories." With that said, a Core Team and I later established a non-profit organization (subsequently referred to as Team Champions Academy) that included employment training for youth ages 16 - 21 that were professionally trained in television media and radio broadcasting. Once I received the "Freddie Mac Washington Leadership Award in DC" for Best Practices for DC Youth, I felt more confident to expand our Broadcasting & Media Training to Adults as well. I was later approached to acquire the Columbia School of Broadcasting (CSB) facilities in Vienna, Virginia, since it was up for sale in 2012. I was also able to work out a deal with the Owner of CSB, who was considering retiring. I became the fourth Owner and 1st African American Owner during the 50 years of the school's history with over 23,000 alumni with 3,000 from 20 different countries. As the Columbia School of Broadcasting owner, we have since expanded our media company to include (Dream 2 Destiny Television). This was to modernize CSB to include media and broadcasting training with both podcasting (social media broadcasting) and television broadcasting relevant for today; To brand and/or market on behalf of the business community and those interested in pursuing careers as media hosts (Influencers) or as industry Radio/TV broadcasters. Currently, our CSB graduates and staff of D2D TV have and are marketing and promoting several of our real estate development projects throughout the US. Copa: How is your business navigating the rough waters of COVID-19?
Kevin: The Covid Pandemic has had one of the most severe and devastating economic impacts for most businesses and our government since the 1930's Depression. With that said, I spent much time in prayer and being inspired by the best Visionary & Business Genius ever recorded in history – Jesus Christ (JC) to find real solutions during a “downturn economy.” JC's biblical "mentorship (discipleship) plan" that started with "helping frustrated entrepreneurs" (Fisherman) who were lacking with their product supplies (Catching fish) later were taught how to multiply their provisions (fish) and recruit many others with a "GOOD NEWS PLAN TO TRANSFORM MANY LIVES." As a result, Billions of people today across the globe have been inspired by JC, who has presented the Greatest multi-marketing plan ever utilized by any motivational speaker or inspiring influencer in our history. Thus, my media business had hit rock bottom before the Covid pandemic because I was defrauded by a Scam Artist (So-called Investor) who severely devastated my media company and caused us to lose over $400K between 2018 - 2019. I thought I was done and would have to file Bankruptcy. But, God interrupted my plans and offered a GOOD NEWS PLAN. He inspired me to create an architectural Master plan on a 25-acre site in Las Vegas with a NEW VISION/PLAN to positively impact cities with "Family Entertainment, Sports, Health & Wellness" so we can rebuild our communities, "one family at a time." With that said, in October 2019, our committed core Dominion Team: (my Dad-Alvin, Christine Johanson, Myra B-Lisbeth, Warren Negri) and a local Vegas Developer of Empire Development (Kent Barry) supported my visionary master plan to create a Futuristic Family Entertainment TOWN CENTER in Las Vegas. I studied much of the background of the late Walt Disney to understand how he would plan and develop a “Family Entertainment” themed complex designed for the year 2040 in Las Vegas. The NuHollywood Experience would be a "FUN-FILLED" Destination Place for ALL TO ENJOY AS A FAMILY WHILE ALSO BEING ABLE TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS AS WELL. I was able to navigate through the Covid pandemic by applying biblical principles I like to refer to as the A, B C's of Life and Business: 1. ARISE ABOVE ALL CHALLENGES BY FAITH, Thus, ARISE ABOVE the Pandemic or any other negativity & noise. Establish a Vision Board for Yourself with Your Mission/Plan (3 years) and Your Goals (1 Year), as well as monthly/daily Tasks. Afterwards, Work Your plan each day by Faith. Be like a Pilot that stays focused on YOUR Plan similar to focusing on the Pilot's Gages while flying your business. ARISE ABOVE the Turbulence (Difficult Storms in business) and Stay FOCUSED and INSPIRED Each Day so YOU CAN BE YOUR BEST! 2. B- BECOME YOUR BEST! YOU MUST LET GO OF YOUR PAST WAYS THAT DID NOT WORK OUT AND MOVE ON. ONLY LOOK FORWARD TO BECOMING YOUR BEST YOU by daily prayer, meditation, and study from the Best who also suffered through tough times but made significant accomplishments; such as Jesus Christ, Job, David of the Bible, as well as President Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, Mandela, and Dr. Martin Luther King to name a few. 3. C- CHANGE OFTEN AND WHEN NECESSARY TO GROW IN LIFE AND IN YOUR BUSINESS CHANGE….. CHANGE……and MORE CHANGE…… Before the Covid pandemic, I planned to grow a million-dollar media company but was scammed by a Sham Artist who almost caused me to lose it all and close down my doors of business. Therefore, prior to and during this Covid pandemic period, I HAD TO CHANGE OFTEN and, When Necessary, CHANGE MY MINDSET WITH A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE and IN BUSINESS. As a result of my willingness to CHANGE, I have been tremendously blessed by God both Personally and in my Business. i. Personally, on July 5, 2020, I married the most amazing and beautiful Wife- Winter Williams. We are blessed during Covid with a blended family of six children who all get along. My Wife, Winter, has been a tremendous blessing to me, our family, and many others with her daily messages of hope & inspiration on Facebook & Instagram (@The WinterWilliams). She has reached thousands daily during this difficult time of this Covid Pandemic. As a result of God’s blessings upon us, we were able to plan with our family/kids to "give away as much as we can to as many as we can" to help many other families in need." ii. Business Growth has never been better. I was struggling just two years ago (November 2018) I was trying to raise a million-dollars for my media company. Now, in November 2020, by God's grace – we have a multi-million dollar real estate company that is in the process of raising a Billion dollars to develop several NuHollywood Experience - Family Entertainment complexes that will influence many families favorably both during and after this covid epidemic! |
Copa: What is your philosophy for conducting a great business?
Kevin: The acronym KNEEL reminds me to stay focused but humble while growing a great business. When YOU learn to KNEEL, you can learn the principle of raising a great business with the following principles:
K- Knowledge is key and allows one to become influential in your profession. Always learn and be teachable with Mentors.
N- Network equals your Net worth, so be mindful of who is in your circle. Recruit a Dream Team of Partners/Staff to accomplish your Mission and Business Goals.
E- Excellence never discriminates regardless of age, race, or gender, so never compromise excellence in whatever your services/products you provide to the public.
E- Expand or multiply your business Profits by expanding your mindset to profit regardless of the setbacks or shortcomings.
L- Leverage ALL of your skills, assets, and everything within your hands to grow your business with multiple revenue streams.
Remember, when YOU OFFER or LEVERAGE something Unique, Better, and Different than your competition, it will give you more value to LEVERAGE.
Finally, submitting yourself to great Mentors is also one of the most inspiring decisions that have impacted me as an Entrepreneur.
Kevin: The acronym KNEEL reminds me to stay focused but humble while growing a great business. When YOU learn to KNEEL, you can learn the principle of raising a great business with the following principles:
K- Knowledge is key and allows one to become influential in your profession. Always learn and be teachable with Mentors.
N- Network equals your Net worth, so be mindful of who is in your circle. Recruit a Dream Team of Partners/Staff to accomplish your Mission and Business Goals.
E- Excellence never discriminates regardless of age, race, or gender, so never compromise excellence in whatever your services/products you provide to the public.
E- Expand or multiply your business Profits by expanding your mindset to profit regardless of the setbacks or shortcomings.
L- Leverage ALL of your skills, assets, and everything within your hands to grow your business with multiple revenue streams.
Remember, when YOU OFFER or LEVERAGE something Unique, Better, and Different than your competition, it will give you more value to LEVERAGE.
Finally, submitting yourself to great Mentors is also one of the most inspiring decisions that have impacted me as an Entrepreneur.
Copa: What does the future hold for Kevin Williams and his world of business?
Kevin: First, I plan to continue to build a legacy of (Faith, Perseverance, Wisdom & Wealth) that my Father/I initially established almost 25 years ago that can truly benefit our Family/Business Partners and Children's Children. I would also like to see millions of people's lives to be impacted favorably as they have fun and enjoy visiting our NuHollywood Experience & NuHollywood Resorts & Residences in Las Vegas.
The NuHollywood development will consist of non-gambling hotels and an eGames Conference Center, along with a beach style wave & surf pool, a ten-story Interactive Sports/Fitness, Health & Wellness complex anchored by an internationally recognized Family Entertainment brand attraction. In addition, an indoor Auto Redline Raceway with a 2 level Laser Tag and eGames Center will attract the Young at Heart . Also, the Live Entertainment Theatre will feature a host of the Best Talent for Family Entertainment along with Food Network’s most recognized cafes and restaurants.
By 2023, Covid would have been addressed by the current vaccines, thus allowing both NuHollywood Experience along with the NuHollywood Resort & Residences to become Las Vegas – Go-To Destination for "Family Entertainment & eGames Conference Hotels, as well as Sports, Health & Wellness."
Since our NuHollywood Experience development is located on Las Vegas Blvd, South nearby the newly planned Grand Central Las Vegas Fast Rail Train Station, we plan to attract millions of tourists and local Vegas Residents by 2023. Thus, being recognized in Las Vegas Travel Guide as “The Best Place for Family Entertainment, Hotels & Travel.”
Our Empire-Dominion Development company, along with Chartwell Hotels (www.empire-dominion.com), is finalizing its best selection from among the Radisson and Hilton Hotels to introduce our NuHollywood brand affiliated with two of the top industry hotels. The Radisson Blu @ NuHollywood in Vegas has already offered my company (Empire-Dominion) a franchise agreement to own a Radisson Hotel on Las Vegas Blvd. South (Main Strip in Vegas), thus, making me the 1st African American Owner of a "Family Entertainment (non-gambling) Hotel" on the Main Strip in Las Vegas.
Additionally, we will start plans for our 2nd NuHollywood Experience & hotel development nearby SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. This NuHollywood – Orlando project will also feature some of the similar NuHollywood Vegas features but on a 40 acre site with more of the NuHollywood Resort & Residences.
Several other requests have already been made to expand to possibly up to three ( 3) US sites and two (2) potential international expansion sites for this proposed billion-dollar brand – NuHollywood Experience & NuHollywood Resorts & Residences.
In addition, we will be expanding our Dream 2 Destiny TV/Film media companies (www.d2dtv.co) and our non-profit (Dream 2 Destiny Foundation) in 2021, as well. D2D TV will provide the marketing and media channels to our Hotels, as well as allow us to market daily on our digital screened billboards in front of our NuHollywood Experience.
Also, our Dream 2 Destiny Foundation will be known for coordinating our employment training of almost 3,000 employees on both of our respective Vegas & Orlando sites currently planned, as well as our outreach centers (Saving Grace- Safe House) for Women suffering from Domestic Violence and/or PTSD as Military Veterans. Our Veterans, in general, will be offered 1st rights for employment training and job placements, as well as our Youth Employment training for high school/college students (ages 16 to 21).
Overall, all of our Dominion and Dream 2 Destiny businesses are primarily focused on the primary themed mission of our NuHollywood Awards & Talent Showcase to premiere by the Fall of 2021 in Las Vegas: "To Reward those Entertainers, Athletes, and Celebrities for their commitment in Making a difference in the lives of many in the US and around the globe."
Kevin: First, I plan to continue to build a legacy of (Faith, Perseverance, Wisdom & Wealth) that my Father/I initially established almost 25 years ago that can truly benefit our Family/Business Partners and Children's Children. I would also like to see millions of people's lives to be impacted favorably as they have fun and enjoy visiting our NuHollywood Experience & NuHollywood Resorts & Residences in Las Vegas.
The NuHollywood development will consist of non-gambling hotels and an eGames Conference Center, along with a beach style wave & surf pool, a ten-story Interactive Sports/Fitness, Health & Wellness complex anchored by an internationally recognized Family Entertainment brand attraction. In addition, an indoor Auto Redline Raceway with a 2 level Laser Tag and eGames Center will attract the Young at Heart . Also, the Live Entertainment Theatre will feature a host of the Best Talent for Family Entertainment along with Food Network’s most recognized cafes and restaurants.
By 2023, Covid would have been addressed by the current vaccines, thus allowing both NuHollywood Experience along with the NuHollywood Resort & Residences to become Las Vegas – Go-To Destination for "Family Entertainment & eGames Conference Hotels, as well as Sports, Health & Wellness."
Since our NuHollywood Experience development is located on Las Vegas Blvd, South nearby the newly planned Grand Central Las Vegas Fast Rail Train Station, we plan to attract millions of tourists and local Vegas Residents by 2023. Thus, being recognized in Las Vegas Travel Guide as “The Best Place for Family Entertainment, Hotels & Travel.”
Our Empire-Dominion Development company, along with Chartwell Hotels (www.empire-dominion.com), is finalizing its best selection from among the Radisson and Hilton Hotels to introduce our NuHollywood brand affiliated with two of the top industry hotels. The Radisson Blu @ NuHollywood in Vegas has already offered my company (Empire-Dominion) a franchise agreement to own a Radisson Hotel on Las Vegas Blvd. South (Main Strip in Vegas), thus, making me the 1st African American Owner of a "Family Entertainment (non-gambling) Hotel" on the Main Strip in Las Vegas.
Additionally, we will start plans for our 2nd NuHollywood Experience & hotel development nearby SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. This NuHollywood – Orlando project will also feature some of the similar NuHollywood Vegas features but on a 40 acre site with more of the NuHollywood Resort & Residences.
Several other requests have already been made to expand to possibly up to three ( 3) US sites and two (2) potential international expansion sites for this proposed billion-dollar brand – NuHollywood Experience & NuHollywood Resorts & Residences.
In addition, we will be expanding our Dream 2 Destiny TV/Film media companies (www.d2dtv.co) and our non-profit (Dream 2 Destiny Foundation) in 2021, as well. D2D TV will provide the marketing and media channels to our Hotels, as well as allow us to market daily on our digital screened billboards in front of our NuHollywood Experience.
Also, our Dream 2 Destiny Foundation will be known for coordinating our employment training of almost 3,000 employees on both of our respective Vegas & Orlando sites currently planned, as well as our outreach centers (Saving Grace- Safe House) for Women suffering from Domestic Violence and/or PTSD as Military Veterans. Our Veterans, in general, will be offered 1st rights for employment training and job placements, as well as our Youth Employment training for high school/college students (ages 16 to 21).
Overall, all of our Dominion and Dream 2 Destiny businesses are primarily focused on the primary themed mission of our NuHollywood Awards & Talent Showcase to premiere by the Fall of 2021 in Las Vegas: "To Reward those Entertainers, Athletes, and Celebrities for their commitment in Making a difference in the lives of many in the US and around the globe."
