Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Distinguished Gentleman of the Month: Martin Kabutey Adjovu

  • Martin Kabutey Adjovu 
  • Full Sail University - MA New Media Journalism 
  • Warner Bros. Studio
  • Instagram - Kabutey
       Twitter - Nenekabutey17
  • Founder and 1st President (African) of Alpha Delta Theta Chapter (Texas Southern University) of Lambda Pi Eta (National Communication Honor Society) 

1. What does "Distinguished Gentleman" mean to you?

A distinguished gentleman to me is someone who knows their worth and treats people with respect daily. Being a distinguished gentleman also means having time to help others to achieve their goals. 

Ubuntu - African Proverb meaning "Humanity". 
"I am because we are," or "humanity towards others"

2.What things have you made to make a difference in your community and how it has helped you?

It’s a lot of things I’m very proud of but I would focus on only two today. Back in undergrad, I realized my school did not have a chapter of Lambda Pi Eta. So I reached out to the National chapter to see if I could join. Unfortunately they were not taking applications for individuals who wanted to join and was advised to start a chapter in my school. Long story short, I spoke to one of my professors in school who ended up being our advisor in the person of Dr. Zantel Nichols. She is the reason why I pushed harder to get the chapter at Texas Southern University. It was a proud moment for me because a legacy was built. Another proud moment would be when I started podcast in undergrad. At that time it wasn’t too popular, but I had worked radio and television. One of my friends who ended being my Executive Producer (Dominique Flournoy) of my show “Saturday Shade” kept convincing me to start the show but I was reluctant at that time. So it took a lot of convincing and with the support of Von Butler of blessed memory "Saturday Shade" became a weekly podcast recorded every week on the campuses of Texas Southern University. All the people on my team were students and I enjoyed doing that and sharing with them the knowledge I had. Most students also started doing their own show which was exciting to see because it made me happier to share with others. Currently Texas Southern has a new online station called Ktsu 2 operated by students. 

3. What is your dream goal and how do you plan on achieving it?

My dream goal is to be a world renowned Multimedia Journalist and International Publicist. Steps in achieving any kind is goal is never easy but it takes persistence to keep pushing. I personally took it using myself and started creating ways to make those goals happen. Starting with me having the opportunity to work on radio and television and also working at Warner Bros I have created my own path and taken a step to making those dreams happen. 

4. Name a moment that you feel helped shape you into the young man that you are today.

Well I would say moving from my home country “Ghana - West Africa”. The transition wasn’t easy because I was used to my culture and how we did things. As much as I miss my home country because there’s no place like home, the U.S. has helped shape me to be more driven and focus on myself and going after what I want. 

5. Name a person (dead or alive) that you look up to & why?

Wow!! Well I’ve had a whole village that has helped me. My family is one and a group of friends who I call family as well. The “Authenticz” and “Elites”. It’s our own code name......LOL 


6. When it comes to being a man, what do you feel should be the three core values that a gentleman should uphold?

  1. God fearing 
  2. Faithful 
  3. Caring

7. What is a quote that live by and how do you live up to it?

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game”
  • Babe Ruth

I remember this quote from A Cinderella Story starring; Regina King, Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. 

Each day I go out knowing I have to achieve something. As humans, we sometimes allow fear to sneak up on us but I make sure I keep striking it out of my mind.  

8. Piece of advice that you would give to young men of color who do not believe in themselves or lack role models.

 Being a colored young man has never been easy and I don’t think that’s going to change soon. I always tell people follow your heart because no one else believes and knows you more than yourself. It’s also good to have an education because no one can take that away from you. Getting an education doesn’t mean you have to go to college. It can be from a trade school. Having that education is a gift to yourself for yourself. Always believe in yourself when no one else believes in you. 

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