Brilliant Minds: I Am A World Renowned Photographer

Words by Te-Erika

“I once read a saying: What would you accomplish today if you knew that failure was not an option tomorrow?" 28-year-old Ross Oscar Knight remembers. “I believe that everyone has a purpose in life and some people settle because of circumstances while others do not dare to step out on faith.”

For Ross, stepping out on faith meant making the transition from his job as an Engineer at Georgia Power to becoming a full-time wedding and event photographer. It meant walking away from a guaranteed paycheck standing firmly on the belief that his talent would lead the way to supply all of his needs.

This act of faith led to establishing Ross Oscar Knight Photography, a business that has seen tremendous growth since it’s inception in 2003 with a clientele that has expanded both nationally and internationally. His most popular clients to date are the Atlanta couple Robert Gray, Jr. And Keisha Williams, whose engagement photographs that he shot and presented in a slide show, has circled the world more than 150 million times.

Ross, who was never formally trained as a photographer, developed his unique vision for photographs by gaining inspiration from photography greats Gordon Parks and James VanDerZee.

In spite of his recent and imminent success, he admits that he didn’t always recognize his purpose. His love for photography blossomed naturally as he took note of other interests.

“I never knew as a child that I would actually be a photographer,” Ross says. “However, I did know that I would do or be something creative. As a child I always felt that I saw events differently than others. I was very observant in any environment that I was a part of. After an outing, I used to ask my family and friends if they recognized or remembered certain colors, scents, people, individuals, music, buildings and they would sometimes look at me like I was crazy. I found it hard to articulate my senses sometimes. Instead, one day I picked up a camera and realized that I could capture the ambiance of a situation or an event and then recreate it as a photo story.”

The art of telling one's story through photography, which Ross calls Lifestyle Photojournalism, requires a strong sense of visual creativity and a natural story telling ability.

“Story telling is always something that I have loved to do. Maybe it was really just talking too much. My father is a pastor and a great story-teller. I used to sit and admire the stories he would tell during his sermons. Everyone in the church would be completely captivated [while I] I would imagine the pictures that went along with his words,” Ross says.

”When I started dating in middle and high school, I always enjoyed writing fiction and other prose for my girlfriends,” he remembers. “I would take picture of them and us and put books together that told stories of our relationships. As I matured, these books changed to memoirs of relationships and how they would begin and end. I always wanted to take something away from the relationship to grow for the next and remind me not to go in reverse.”

Backtracking is not an option for the young professional photographer. His life is a testament of forward movement as he embraces his role as a visionary, accepting the fact that sacrifice and willpower are necessary to achieve greatness.

“I think some people let their dreams falter because society places stereotypes on dreamers and even visionaries, as if appropriate fantasies cannot be manifested. The opposite is true,” Ross says. “The major difference between those who live out their fantasies and those who don't is a direct matter of willpower. What is one willing to sacrifice to succeed? Comfort? Stability? Food? Sleep? Criticism? It is those that persevere through adversity with the mind set that failure is not an option who find the keys to self-fulfillment. Even in failure, true perseverance will prevail as a stepping stone to one's impending success.”

The obstacles that Ross had to overcome in order to achieve his dream presented themselves as a combination of finances, support, and obedience.

“I thought it impossible to become a full-time photographer 8 years ago when I was still in college,” Ross remembers. “The money just wasn't there to achieve my dream of purchasing equipment and supporting myself through art. To not lose hope, I found comfort in visiting galleries, painting at home, and still learning progressively about my art. I sought ways to be artistic for free!”

“Many people, like myself, hold on to baggage in the form of friends, family, and peers,” Ross offers. “I had to let go of my unhealthy baggage in order to be enlightened that prosperity was at my fingertips. Paraphrasing someone from my past, 'You really can pick your friends, family is a different story.' Consequently, having healthy relationships with supporters of your dream is the best way to overcome hard times. Last, being obedient to my conscience and prayers was a major road block for me. I struggle with consistent obedience and patience. I even wonder why because whenever I have the both in line, I am blessed beyond measure. Truly, I accomplished my dream to be a photographer by adhering to my faith.”

Brilliant Minds- I Will Secure The Future Of My Family

Words by Te-Erika

Twenty-five-year-old Brandon Okpalobi has always admired his father’s work ethic. As a young boy Brandon heard the stories of how his father traveled to America from Nigeria and worked diligently to provide for his family. “He never changed who he was for anyone else. He worked hard. He worked until 10 or 11 at night. Back then I didn’t understand but now I do because looking back, life was pretty good,” Brandon said.

Brandon’s ultimate fantasy is to use his God given gifts of leadership and intelligence to ensure the financial security of his future family. Although he doesn’t have a family yet, he appreciates the time he has to focus on creating a legacy much like his father who owns and operates an accounting firm in New Orleans.

A descendant of a royal family in Nigeria, Brandon’s father, Chuka Okpalobi, is the Ochendo of Achalla-Ibusa in Delta State. His father’s election as King of a tribe in Nigeria taught Brandon that strength of character and determination will open the doors necessary to receive even more than you could hope for in life.

When Brandon moved to South Florida to attend the University of Miami, he had a dream of securing a place on the school’s celebrated basketball team. In direct competition with other young basketball stars, he tried out as a walk-on and secured a position on the team. Through hours of daily practice, focus and sheer willpower, Brandon landed a starting position and a scholarship. By his junior year of college, he was elected team captain and he held on to the position for two years. He was awarded the team’s Hustle Award, an honor reserved for team members who exhibit consistent excellence regardless of the circumstances.

Brandon now works as an Enterprise Risk Services consultant with Deloitte & Touche. His vision is to open a sports complex for families in Miami, Florida where he lives. “I hope to give families a place to come together that is affordable and fun,” Brandon said. “My mission is to exceed the average expectations of a community center by providing inspiring, educational and recreational experiences with exquisite ambiance for individuals committed to achieving excellence in their community."

He offers four key factors to successfully prepare to achieve your fantasy life:

1) Get a solid education in school and in life. Become an expert at whatever you plan to do.
2) Develop a solid business plan as a map for your vision.
3) Learn how to network by joining strong organizations that support where you are trying to go in your career.
4) Find a good mentor who will open the doors of wisdom and opportunity.

Daily affirmations are the key to Brandon’s success. “I wake up every morning and I get myself pumped by first reading the Proverb for the day. Then I read my daily devotional and afterwards I have a list of affirmations that I go through,” Brandon explained.

“Everyday that you wake up is a special occasion. Every day you get to walk is a special occasion. Treat everyone as if they are higher than they are and watch how doors open for you. All anyone wants is smile,” Brandon affirmed. “You’d be surprised by what a genuine smile can do.”

Brilliant Minds- I'm the Star of My Own Sitcom

Words by Te-Erika

Nika Williams was just a kindergartner when she began performing poetry in front of audiences. Her favorite poem was Madam & Her Madam by Langston Hughes. She would dazzle the audience with a speaking ability that was well beyond her age group’s capability and people would often tell her that she had a gift.

She realized that she loved the arts and being on the main stage would be a permanent part of her life. “I always knew that I wanted to be in front of people and make them laugh,” Nika said.
For a while she ignored the allure of the stage by actively participating in sports. It wasn’t until she went away to the University of Florida that she decided to pursue an acting career professionally. When she decided to major in Theatre her mother wasn’t excited about it. She asked Nika, “How are you going to get a job with a theatre degree?”

But Nika was headstrong and believed wholeheartedly in her comedic gifts. Once she earned her degree she went home to Miami to save money to make her move to New York. She figured New York was the place to be if she really wanted to achieve her fantasy of starring in her own television sitcom.

After having saved more than $8,000 she became nervous about the big move and blew all of her money on parties, clothes and enjoying the South Beach scene. When her funds were almost depleted she stopped in her tracks and realized what she had done. The only thing standing in her way of success was her own lack self discipline and focus.

Once again, she got her head together and set another target date for her move to New York. The move was successful but once she got there she realized that the culture of the city didn’t suit her. She went back to Miami to regroup and refocus, this time setting her sights on Los Angeles.

When the time came for her to move to LA, she moved forward with no inhibitions. She believed in the gift within and even more she believed in the God within. She spent the first few months hanging out in clubs hoping to be discovered. “I learned that the people who could “discover” me weren’t hanging out in clubs, they were at home sleeping so that they could be on the set the next morning,” Nika said.

It was during this moment of awakening that Nika shifted gears. “You have to do the work,” she realized. “You can’t expect people to just notice you because you’re talented or you look a certain way.”

She participated in sketch comedy groups as she honed her signature comedic style. Feeling the pressure from watching how differently her performances were from other comedians she decided to stick to what she knew despite the proven road to success.

“I have to get up and do my comedy the way that I do my comedy,” Nika commented. “Richard Pryor did the same thing. At first he was trying to be another Bill Cosby but it didn’t work for him. Finally he went his own way and now look at him.”

After having bit appearances on shows like Nick Cannon’s Wild N Out, Nickelodeon’s Hannah Montana and the CW’s All of Us, Nika feels that the time is almost near for her star to shine through.

Amidst criticism, she recently left her day job as a middle school teacher so that she could be open to embrace opportunities. “People don’t understand, but it’s not for them to understand. It’s my story. It’s my life,” she said confidently.

Five years after she first made her move to LA, fears and doubts about her future sometimes creep into her mind but she remains firmly routed in her faith and refuses to turn back and run. “Fear is inevitable,” Nika explained. “The whole point of fear is to overcome it and keep going. At the end of the day it’s about persistence.”

Brilliant Minds- Not Just A Nerd

Every child goes through that awkward period where they really don’t know who they are or how to express themselves. Ken experienced that phase throughout elementary school where he was teased a lot for being smart. Add the fact that Ken’s Mom was a teacher at his school and you have a recipe for guaranteed social disaster.

“As a kid when that happens you begin to isolate yourself,” Ken said “If you’re not accepted for who you are invariably you have to find ways to gain that love and acceptance.”

Ken was unable to find acceptance because he couldn’t understand his feelings himself. He describes himself as “smart and goofy” however none of his classmates could see that because they were so focused on how intelligent he was. “If people think you’re just a nerd, you might say to yourself, ‘Maybe that’s all I am,’” Ken expressed. “You may not ever get a chance to find out what other talents you have.”

Around 8th grade Ken decided to break out of his shell. He joined his school’s academic team. It was with this team that Ken found a fertile ground for friendships. “When I started surrounding myself with other people who were as smart as me, I found others who were willing to accept me for who I was,” Ken said.

Ken believes that exposing himself to new people taught him a lot about who he was. As he developed faith that he was more than just a nerd, he was able to relax more in social environments, eventually drawing others who shared his same sense of humor and integrity.

“My self esteem comes from the fact that God has blessed me with so many talents and He has blessed me to be alive,” Ken affirmed. “Appreciating life itself is important.”