Congrats to KKPsi's Maurice Thompson & the NCCU Marching Sound Machine

It comes with great humility and joy to present this congratulatory message to you.   During the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOTB) festivities in Atlanta, GA, the BCE clothing brand (http://www.bceapparel.com/) had the pleasure to be present and in the midst of a crowd of very distinguished, elite, and exciting group of people at the 4th annual Atlanta Alumni Association of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma Bowl and Stroll.  As some may already know, music education was one of the inspirations behind the creation of the BCE brand (for more about BCE's vision/history visit http://pridestyleswagger.blogspot.com/2011/02/bce-is-fashion-line-for-bold-confident.html), and many of you reading this know that music education is usually hard-hit financially in the American education system when the very unattractive term "budget-cuts" rears its ugly head.  We at BCE seek to help alleviate the impact of these budget-cuts on music education.  While enjoying the HBOTB festivities, persons that made a purchase from BCE were entered into a raffle where they could potentially win a pot of money that was already pre-funded by BCE and funded additionally by each purchase made at the Bowl and Stroll.  The winner of the raffle would receive one-half of the pot and the other half would be donated to a school music program of the winners choice.  It comes with great joy to announce the winner --- Maurice Thompson and his music program choice the North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine (http://www.nccu.edu/).  Maurice is a political science cum laude graduate of North Carolina Central University, a former member of the Marching Sound Machine, and a brother of KKPsi (Zeta Sigma Fall '07).  He can be found on twitter @PoliPsi_BandGuy.  Thank you to everyone for their continued support, embrace, and patronage of this rising clothing brand.  As we grow, everyone and everything associated/affiliated with us grows (especially music education). 

"In all things you do, always be sure to Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™" ~Mr. BCE

Join the BCE clothing brand on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99120142269, Mr. BCE on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/Mr_BCE, and shop BCE at http://www.bceapparel.com/.

BCE...the World's Next Prominent Clothing Brand

BCE is a fashion line for the Bold, Confident, & Excellent.  Three things you have to be in order to achieve anything in life.  It is a lifestyle brand representing the ACHIEVEMENT of GREATNESS.  Created from a marriage between the love and respect I have for musicians and my obsession with being a leader and personally achieving GREATNESS...it is the first clothing line to bring LEADERSHIP & GREATNESS to the fashion industry, but not only that, it is the first clothing line to give musicians and those with a band affiliation the ownership and recognition they deserve in the world of fashion.  This is why the logo for the brand is a drum major; a drum major is a leader and leaders Achieve GREATNESS.  To be BOLD is to be courageous; like Dr. King and his fight for civil rights, or Bill Gates and his decision to discontinue the pursuit of his undergraduate Harvard degree to instead pursue his passion that became Microsoft.  To be CONFIDENT is to think highly of yourself and the same of others; like President Obama when asked, "do you THINK you can win the presidency?", he responded, "I KNOW I can."  To be EXCELLENT is to not be inferior; like Wilma Rudolph who was born inferior with polio virus, but died a superior international track star, or like Ralph Waldo Emerson and his philosophical essays.  And to wear BCE is to Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™. 

The world is a huge society of people with many differences, but according to Dr. King we all have one thing in common, and that is the desire to be out front, the desire to lead the parade, be first, important, achieve distinction, and surpass others.  This desire is called the 'Drum Major Instinct'.  Unlike clothing brands that may promote a far-fetched/luxurious lifestyle aspiration for most people in their marketing and branding...BCE is a movement inspiring people to Achieve GREATNESS through fashion.  GREATNESS is not about how much money you have, how many cars you drive, or how big your house is.  I say its about being YOU and being the best YOU at it by embracing the GREATNESS locked within your being.  Everybody doesn't possess luxury, but I believe everybody does possess GREATNESS.

~CJ 'Mr. BCE' Nelldell 
Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™
http://www.bceapparel.com/
Join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99120142269
 

People Judging People: Why Can't I be Myself?

Greetings folks, I'd like to ask you to forgive me if you think this piece is lengthy, but I have to get this off my chest because we have a very very longstanding problem in society.  I said with SOCIETY, not with one particular group, class, or race of people.  You see it and you hear it all the time.  What is this problem??  People judging people.  This has got to stop.  I'm a very humble and cordial guy, but because of this problem, I am very particular about who I let into my very close inner circle.  I will not disclose any names or identities, but this problem really struck a nerve in me once I began my business.  For instance, if you take a look at the photos for my clothing line scrolling to your right, you will see a variation of looks and styles.  This is what I love about fashion, fashion is about being Y-O-U and expressing Y-O-U, not somebody E-L-S-E.  There's no right or wrong in fashion and the arts.  I've had several people say to me, "you shouldn't have the girl in your photos with the red hair?" as well as some other things that I won't divulge in because people's ignorance I refuse to dwell on or entertain.  I also know someone that told a woman she should stop meeting men in Wal-mart because that's not a place where you find a quality man.  The analogy used was, "if you want quality fruit, you don't go shopping at Wal-mart, you go shopping at Whole Foods."  Next, there is a group that I was invited to join whose mission is to bring back charm, style, & chivalry (the marks of a gentleman) in men.  Apparently, according to this group, a man's being a gentleman starts with his attire. 

Here is my response to this problem.  Why not have the WOMAN in my photos with the red hair?  Does her red hair make her inhuman?  Or is it that, you're so high-strung on yourself (for whatever reason) that just because you wouldn't wear red hair, it is wrong to wear red hair or whatever other color?  I know why I chose her to be a model/promoter of my clothing brand and that's all that matters.  I chose her because I saw GREATNESS in her.  God blessed her with a GIFT that many of you wish you had, and I immediately recognized it the first time I saw her work.  As for finding a "quality" man in Wal-mart, in retrospect when I thought about this, I'm thinking to myself..."I shop in Wal-mart, so are you saying I'm not a quality man??"  As for this "gentleman" group, one of the points in their mission is, "We will reject the impulse to rock athletic or Hip/Hop gear."  Who in the HELL said, not dressing in athletic or "Hip/Hop" clothing means you're not a gentleman.  Anyone that knows me, knows I am very versatile when it comes to my style.  I can dress up very well and I can dress down very well (one of many gifts God gave me).  Does this mean, I am not a gentleman because of what I have on??  Now, don't get me wrong; I'm not a fan of my pants hanging under my backside and you will never see me dressed that way, but I dress for my mood.  Very humbly speaking, I am a damn great dresser, and I can give you a run for your money in that category AND in any particular style. 

I think its funny (and a disgrace at the same time) of how judgmental people are.  Who the HELL sprinkled magic dust on you and told you the way that you choose to live, dress, act, etc. makes you the "model citizen".  How do you know, the way you live, dress, or whatever else you do is not correct?  It seems as though there are people in the world that are so educated and because they've achieved a FEW things in their life they think they have "arrived".  NO! You haven't "arrived" until you've help others "arrive" with you.  There is a such thing as an 'Educated Fool' you know.  Get off of your high horse and stop staring down your nose at people.  Inspire and encourage someone else to be the best THEM they can be and not the best YOU they can be.  God created us as individuals not copies and your judgmental ways are absolutely blasphemous in my opinion.  People need to learn how to respect the individuality of others and stop trying to make it seem as though conformity is the way to live.  Lets be real, so if this woman with red hair or this guy that isn't "dressed" like a "gentleman" (whatever the hell that means), were to pass out in the middle of the street, you would walk your bourgeois, ostentatious behind right by them??  I know that may seem extreme, but there are people in the world that would do that, and I'm just asking a question.  Some people need to check themselves (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, etc.).  If, to each is own (as so many people so loosely use this phrase), then why is your mouth open in utterance of judgment.  Who the HELL died and named you God??  I absolutely love and admire people that don't give a damn what folk think about them. 

We all were wired with GREATNESS in us.  Which is why I believe in my heart that everyone can Achieve GREATNESS (and I will go to my grave helping as many people as possible achieve it).  GREATNESS is not racist.  It is not prejudiced. It is not judgemental, and it does not deal in the act of showing favoritism. GREATNESS is however, a mentality. It is attainable. It is humble. It is giving. GREATNESS is patient, it is kind. GREATNESS does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. GREATNESS is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. GREATNESS does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. GREATNESS always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. GREATNESS never fails. Hence, GREATNESS is 1 Corinthians 13...LOVE.  GREATNESS has no one particular face.

Anybody reading this post and knows me well.  If I have ever at some point in our knowing each other made you feel as though I have judged you for what you choose to do with your life, I am asking you to forgive me.  Seriously, judging folks is not cool. 

I encourage your responses to and sharing of this post with others.

Much love and continued success to everyone,
CJ 'Mr. BCE' Nelldell
Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™
http://www.bceapparel.com/

RECEIVE CASH FROM BCE

BCE is very pleased to have you as a customer partaking in the BCE experience and the Achieve GREATNESS movement.  Our referral program is a way for you to engage others in experiencing the BCE experience as well.  For a one month trial period (now through January 16, 2011), once you become a customer spending a total of at least $49.98 either in one visit or multiple visits to our web store, you become eligible for our referral program. When you (1) REFER 4 NEW PEOPLE/CUSTOMERS TO OUR WEB STORE, (2) THEY MAKE A PURCHASE WITH A SHOPPING CART TOTAL OF AT LEAST $24.99, AND (3) DURING CHECKOUT WRITE YOUR NAME IN THE BOX THAT READS "HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US", WE WILL SEND YOU $10.00 CASH! You can spend this cash however you choose.


HOW DO YOU RECEIVE THE CASH?: You can opt to have the cash sent to you via Paypal or check. Once we see your name 4 times, an email will be sent informing you of your $10.00 earnings and requesting how you prefer to receive your cash. Limit one (1) $10.00 award per customer. BCE reserves the right to amend and/or discontinue this program as we see fit without notice.
 
BCE...a Fashion Line for the Bold, Confident, & Excellent
Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™
http://www.bceapparel.com/

BCE Makes Nationwide Push to Support Music Education

Believe it or not, music happens to be one of the most important parts of our lives and cultures, but its importance in education is very often underestimated by many.  Those who choose not to take the time to understand it would characterize it as, an area of education that is "easy" or a "recreational escape" from more liberal art forms (i.e. math, science, literature, etc.) as well as, professional, vocational, or technical curricula.  These characteristics are believed so much so that when cuts are made within the school boards, the Board of Regents, etc. the "Arts" such as music education somehow "involuntarily" pull the "short straw" each time, and experience the heaviest hit to their finances.  The beliefs that many have about the importance of music education couldn't be further from the truth.  Ask any musician and he or she will tell you they learn a heck of a lot.  As a matter of fact, music is one of the few areas of study (if not the only area of study) where students learn history, mathematics, science, literature, foreign language, art, and it teaches cooperation/collaboration with others.  Music education even takes the student's thinking to a philosophical level with the polishing of students reasoning skills.  Name another educational program or department that innately incorporates multiple curricula.  It definitely appears music education actually increases the student's aptitude and capability of learning. 

In light of this, CJ 'Mr. BCE' Nelldell - Owner & Founder of the BCE clothing brand and the BCE team have begun sending the company on a nationwide thrust to support music education.  The company began with support efforts for the Human Jukebox band (the band of Mr. Nelldell's college alma mater Southern University) after state budget cuts significantly stifled their ability to travel with the football team during the 2010-11 football season.  It then dawned on Mr. Nelldell, "How many other music programs across the nation are suffering from strained finances?"  And the push began to reach out to grade school level band booster clubs to aid them in their fund raising efforts with fresh new ideas and a clothing brand that speaks the music world's language of EXCELLENCE.  A push that happens to be in line with BCE's philanthropic mission to strengthen communities and families through educational support. 

In closing, Mr. Nelldell mentions, "Being that the BCE clothing brand is just shy of its first birthday (which makes us a very small company), we're a small company with a big heart and the fight as vicious as a pack of lioness protecting their young.  We're going to need the support of the people that can relate to what's going on to back us in our efforts.  I discovered my life's purpose is to help people Achieve GREATNESS, so I literally made it my business.  I vow not to rest until I've helped as many people as possible do just that." 

BCE...a Fashion Line for the Bold, Confident, & Excellent
Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™
http://www.bceapparel.com/

Are You Really Getting Money?

Take a ride through any metropolitan city, turn on the television or radio and you see or hear about someone engaging in the hustle or the often talked about "paper chase".  Log on to Facebook, Twitter, etc. and what you can almost always bet on reading at least once in your news feed or timeline is the same exact thing.  The world is filled with hustlers, paper chasers, dreamers, and folks talking about "they're getting money".  People of the world are infatuated with "getting money" but I wonder if they ever stopped to think that money/wealth follows GREATNESS.  You can't be mediocre or average and boast about how much "money" you're getting.  Number one, your humility needs to be fine-tuned because people that are actually getting money have no need to boast and brag about it.  Number two, people that aren't GREAT or don't strive to be GREAT fail to acquire wealth and find themselves chasing it until life's final common denominator.  Achieving GREATNESS is a mentality.  Achieve GREATNESS, exercise humility, and money/wealth will follow in abundance. 

Are you GREAT at what you do?  Do you aspire to be someone GREAT?  If your answer to these questions is no, you can't say yes to them with confidence, or you don't know what it means to be GREAT...you're probably not "getting money".  If you don't believe me, think about it.  In sports, why are some players paid a lot more than others, but yet they play the same position?  Why are certain people remembered and talked about even after they have passed decades ago?  Why did Barack Obama win the presidency over John McCain?  Why are there so many people with literary talents, but only a few obtain the prize (Pulitzer that is)?  Why are certain entertainers more renowned than others?  Having trouble seeing the bigger picture?  Just go back and do a comparison of people who have achieved GREATNESS and are actually "getting money"; what you will find in your comparison is there are those who exude excellence and GREATNESS and there are those who don't.  This is something that can go on and on, but I believe you get the point. 

First work on being GREAT and the money/fame/wealth will follow, but remember it takes humility to keep it; nobody likes an asshole; because, not so GREAT people don't obtain these things.  How do you know when you have achieved GREATNESS?  GREATNESS is achieved at the point when you stop chasing money/wealth and it starts chasing you.  GREATNESS = Humilty + Respect + Money + Power.

Think GREAT * Dress GREAT * Be GREAT

BCE...a Fashion Line for the Bold, Confident, & Excellent
Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™
http://www.bceapparel.com/

Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™

Caring, Blessings, & Bliss

They say good things come to those who wait.  They also say good things happen to people who do good things for others.  I guess I got the chance to experience that this past weekend of September 18 - 19, 2010 because, there is no way these things could have been orchestrated.  This was one of the most blessed weekends ever shawty.  I got the opportunity to bless someone else's life and my life was blessed as well. 

It started when one of my homegirls from college flew into town on Thursday evening to spend the weekend with a guy she was talking to.  Saturday as I was getting my swagger together for a day party at the Glenn Hotel, I get a phone call from her asking me questions like..."if a woman came into town to spend the weekend with you, wouldn't you have the weekend planned for her?"  "Wouldn't you take her out to eat, show her around the city, etc.?"  "Would your ideal weekend with her be sitting in the house saying to her things like "you came to see me why do we need to go out?" or taking her to strip clubs?"  My immediate response to her was..."where did you meet this lame?" lol.  Subsequently I told her, "yes, I would have had everything planned."  At this point, my homegirl was ready to leave Atlanta (which was her very first visit to my city might I add).  So I told her look here, "I'll come get you and you can go to this party with me because I want you to have a good time while you're here."  She responds, "that won't be appropriate to ask you to come to this guys house."  I respond, "No...what's not appropriate is him not treating you like a woman.  Besides, tell him I'm your cousin...he doesn't know me."  So, I end up going to get her, taking her to the party where she had so much fun, took her to some of Atlanta's greatest attractions.  While on this tour, our last stop before going back to get something to eat was the Martin Luther King Jr. museum.  As we were walking back to my whip, there was a video being shot right across the street and the director of the video yelled, "yo do y'all want a cameo in this video we're shooting featuring Slick Pulla from Jeezy's label CTE?"  I yell back, "sure why not?!"  So, we were given our role in the video and knocked it out the park.  Everyone in the video noticed what I was wearing and asked me where did I get it from (I guess they liked it because they wanted to wear it in the video) and I was then invited to come out to day 2 of the shoot the next day and bring some ladies I know.  Skipping ahead, me and my homegirl went out to eat and then we went out to the club where we ended our fun at 4:30am.   

The very next day, I was able to get into contact with one of my other homegirls (who I have a strong adoration for) and found out she was just about to get on the road because she was moving out of town.  I was kind of devastated to hear the news because although she knew how I felt about her from the time we spent working together and hanging out, she didn't know how deep my adoration for her was; I'm a man that puts the ball in a woman's court, but I don't put myself ALL the way out there.  If she picks it up and dribbles, that's when I take her on the elevator ride of romance with me that doesn't have a down button.  So, she postponed her trip to be in the video with me.  We got the chance to spend a little time out together before going to the shoot (time I'd say I will definitely cherish).  We did the shoot, had fun, and the BCE brand was all over the place in it.  Its almost 10pm when she and I left the set so I could take her back to her point of departure.  We're laughing, talking, and listening to music (something we both love to do when we kick it because our musical taste is a lot similar).  We arrive at her departure point and give our normal hug to one another, kiss on the cheek, laugh a little bit more, and say bye; you know the normal awkward stuff lol.  I wanted to kiss her, but I always take the gentleman approach when it comes to women (in my opinion that always get you further with a woman; at least it has always gotten me further nevertheless lol).  On my way back to the crib, it hits me..."damn I can't let this girl leave like that shawty."  So I send her a text and here is how the convo went lol...

• Me - Damn!
• Her - What??
• Me - I wanted to kiss your lips and the feeling I get every time I see you; its like life starts all over again and I have an entire lifetime to know you
• Her - WOW! All I gotta say is you shoulda went for it. I wouldn't have mind it at all
• Me - Bussin a U right now
• Her - LOL. You are one of a kind
• Me - I never got the opportunity to hold you tight in my arms and let you feel my heart beat for you.  I can't let you leave without that
• Her - OMG CJ stop!
• Me - I honestly wish I could stop

So, as I bussed the U-turn, Bobby Valentino's - Knock Knock track from 2009 comes on.  It seemed like the perfect song for the scenario so I put it on repeat lol.  The only difference was there was no knocking involved.  I pulled up, parked, walked around to the front of my automobile, and leaned on the hood.  Someone tells her I'm outside and it was like something out of a movie because here comes this beautiful angel running towards me.  She grabs my face with both hands, thereafter our faces connect briefly and we exchange the biggest hug I had ever given anyone in a while.  I had to make the best out of my friend being disappointed, my vision for my company, and the departure of an admired angel.  All I can say is, I love God, I love my friends, and I love making the ladies smile ;-).  And to top it all off this was one of the best weekends for the BCE brand; GREATNESS really was achieved this weekend. 

BCE...a Fashion Line for the Bold, Confident, & Excellent
Identify Yourself with GREATNESS™
http://www.bceapparel.com/