CEDTalks

If you were shopping at a store and their customer service was lousy, you'd stop shopping from them. Makes basic sense, right? If a restaurant gave you fish when you ordered steak, and the steak was tough when they gave it to you, overcharged you and underperformed, they would most likely lose your business. Unfortunately, when it comes to our emotions, we are not the same sound investors that we are with our money. Sometimes we want certain situations and people to work out so bad that we don't know when it's time to cut our losses; more importantly, we miss out on opportunities and people that could result in big gains. Before pursuing my writing and entrepreneurial goals, my first job was working at mutual fund powerhouse Vanguard. Vanguard taught me priceless principles on investing, portfolio building, and monitoring the market. Coincidentally, some of the same tactics it takes to keep a successful portfolio apply to our daily lives, including our relationshi...

"Why you bother me when you know you don't want me? Why you bother me when you know you got a woman? Why you hit me when you know you know better? Know you know better" SZA, "Love Galore" Wish I could tell you, SZA. We don't know what we're doing. Relationships. It's the hardest and most rewarding job a man can ever have. King Kong...ain't got sh*t...on relationships. Last week, I finally got around to watching the recent Denzel Washington film Fences with my family. It was signature Denzel; with the help of fellow stars Viola Davis and Mykelti Williamson, the movie delivered a strong depiction of the challenges and sacrifices of family life. The crazy thing was, it simultaneously reinforced yet redeveloped my perspective on family and committed relationships. Davis and Washington's relationship identified the unique layers of love. It spoke to the beauty in fantasizing of days past and enjoying each other's company; conversely, i...

March 24th marked my twenty eighth year here on th is earth, and it marked an important day in my life, as I decided to actually go to work. For anyone who knows me and how I view birthdays, this is a huge occurrence…even though I took off the next day. Turning 28 is an unrecognized milestone in a person’s life, as it is the midpoint of what I call the “career decade” aka “10 Years an Irrelevant Person” (After 12 Years a Slave , any topic revolving time should be spoken as such). The period between ages 23-33 is a moment where you are no longer viewed as a darling, or important for that matter, unless you catapult to the top of your desired career field or on the fast track towards it. If you deviate from this at any time, you slowly move out of sight and out of mind, barring life changing events such as marriage or children; coincidentally, these events shift the focus away from you. In my individual period, I’ve experienced a sample of these highs and lows, falling out of favor for ...

When the Perry men get together it usually results in interesting discussion over modern day issues and the values of life. Take a listen to some of the highlights of a recent chat between myself, brother Malcolm, and Charles Perry: On employment: "You have to work in life. It's no way around it. The average person is going to work until they're 60; if you don't save your money, you're going to have to work until 70! Unless, you dedicate yourself to a field where you make six figures. So it's work hard or work long...you still working."   Charles Perry "Jobs are not about being fun. Careers are different. Even middle-level jobs have perks. If you working a school job, or a job that cost you money to take off, it's not about fun;  it's about money. Calling out for you for your birthday might mess around and get you a REAL vacation."    Cedric Perry Myself, Charles Perry, and younger brother Malcolm. On priorities:...

"Back to the future, gotta slow up for the present I'm fast, n*ggas can't get past my past How they propose to deal with my perfect present" Jay-Z, "Hovi Baby" As millions of rap enthusiasts salivate over Shawn Carter's new album Magna Carta Holy Grail  (or indulge in it, if you already downloaded it), one can't help but reminisce over some of his previous classics. I still play the aforementioned song and album in my car, the 2002 LP  The Blueprint 2: The Gift and The Curse  remaining one of my favorite pieces of work from Jay. In the song, "Hova" elaborates on fans and critics alike being so enamored with his contributions (as an artist and person), they miss his modern day creativity and genius. While this is a theme that Jay revisits later in his career , this line always struck a chord with me and does now more than ever. It tells a story of a person's attempts to prosper being squelched by nostalgia, and the challenge of ...

The Fact Is (I Need You) is a song by American R&B/soul singer/actress Jill Scott. It was released as a radio single in support of Scott's second studio album, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2. It was the forth and final single from the album. The track is also featured on her live album, Live In Paris.

"Blurred Lines" is a song recorded by American R&B recording artist Robin Thicke, for his sixth studio album of the same name (2013). Featuring guest vocals from American rapper T.I. and American singer and producer Pharrell, the song was released as the lead single from "Blurred Lines" on March 26, 2013 through Star Trak Recordings. The R&B song was produced featured guest Pharrell, and was written by him along with Thicke and T.I.

3 weeks remain before returning to film my web series "We're Just Talking" and emotions that have been long removed revisit my mental campus. With the day nearing I can feel the different turns; excitement, curiosity, frustration, confidence, and many more sentiments stand tall before this big step. Above all of these looms a sensation that, more than ever before, poses a number of challenges: fear. Fear played an integral role in my development but not under its normal pretenses. For many, fear can serve as a detractor, hindrance, even a catalyst for ignorance. Dating back to my early years, fear (directly and indirectly) functioned as inspiration to be better.  A difficult "decision" has allowed King James to soar.. Running around as a youth in Morrisville, I was self conscious of my teeth (I looked like Bugs Bunny with a box fade). I tried to counter my appearance by being charming and cool, because I didn't want to be picked on. When I beca...

As the record player croons the hits of Smokey Robinson, I sit in my chair and travel through the annals of history to the 60s, a classic era of soul music. It creates a beautiful image of house parties, slow dancing with the girl you like, and $.50 Coca-colas. Aaahhh ....refreshing. While we cannot forget the trials and tribulations of the Civil Rights Movement, use this moment to remember the music: The Supremes, James Brown, The Four Tops, and don't forget the Temptations. (Ed. Note: You know I was on tour with the Temptations; Eddie Kendricks didn't like all the attention I was getting from the original version of "My Girl", so they booted me.) President Obama administering one of my signature moves, "The Schmooze".  One of the things I would have enjoyed the most about that era was the essence of love that appears dormant in our culture. If I can be real y'all, our generation seems to lack a heart. There are people seeking a partner, a soul mat...

"It's real out here." This is arguably the most common phrase you hear about life after school. As most college graduates/working people will attest, life becomes really interesting after college. Some people focus on the more difficult aspects: limited free time, minimal levels of energy, and the stalker. Many of us know this stalker; he goes  by the name "Bill" (Insurance Bill, Credit Card Bill, Cable Bill, etc.) Despite these trials, there are a lot of positive opportunities that open up from leaving school. In addition to building your career and making adult purchases, you make attempts at "streamlined" relationships. Biz: Are they real or "Just a Friend"? Streamlined relationships are situations that have more long-term potential as opposed to "it's Wednesday and I'm bored" dates. As one legendary philosopher (Biz Markie) said, "We started talking, getting familiar/Spending a lot of time so we ca...