Newspaper Page Text
May 1, 1993
Lifestyles/Entertainment
Page 11
'Soul', a source of knowledge
By Persephone Crandall
Contributing Writer
Do you ever feel the need
to know more about your
African American history?
Or perhaps a stronger sense
of identity? The Soul Source
bookstore and cafe’ may be
the place for you.
Dr. Wilbur H. Watson, edu
cator and entrepreneur is
the owner of the bookstore
and cafe’, located across the
street from the Robert W.
Woodruff Library.
Inspired by his mother and
supported by other family
members, Watson opened
the business in January
ofl990.
“I saw a market for this
type of business. I hired a
marketing team to survey
the area. This place has
plenty of pedestrian traffic.
So I concluded this was a
good spot to open the store.”
Watson said he knew of
many instances where
people started businesses
that failed within the first
year. “This happens when
people expect too much too
soon. Don’t put all your eggs
in one basket. I continued
my education and kept my
paying Job. This way I could
keep my goal within reach.”
He stressed the impor
tance of allowing a business
at least four to five years
before expecting any “real
financial growth.”
After receiving his doctor
ate degree in medical sociol
ogy and gerontology, he
taught at Atlanta University.
“There’s no good business
without a good tax plan. I
went straight to the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) to find
out how to work out the best
plan for my business.” After
obtaining a solid tax plan, he
hired Norman Chalis, man
ager of Paschal’s Hotel as a
consultant. “I hired him be
cause I really didn’t have a
background in business, and
I also because I trust him as
my friend,” he said.
“Usually it takes about three
or four year to see some real
profit, but right now the busi
ness is doing very well; we’re
-in the black’.”
Despite discouragement
from some Atlanta Univer
sity Center faculty members,
Watson said “I managed to
keep my goals in focus, even
though some faculty mem
bers told me that I was wast
ing my time opening up a
bookstore in this area 'be
cause blacks don’t read that
much,' I believe that we
have a rich culture and back
ground. . I realize most
people can’t afford some of
my merchandise, but just
to have the books showcased
is important, “ he said.
“Many of us look at the
mirror of society and resist
reading because it is so
forced upon us, but if there
is anything that can make
us read more, it should be to
disprove the “nay-sayers”,
the ones who tell us that we
can’t learn, and we are infe
rior. Study beyond the text
books,” he said.
Although healthy food for
the body and soul sums up
the menu, the title of the
establishment goes much
deeper he said. Watson views
source as a place where one
can search for their identity.
Soul was named in honor
of the book by W.E.B. Du
Bois. “The SoulofBlackfoUC
inspired me because it made
me realize that all you are in
life, results from your envi
ronment and who you are
historically,” he said.
CAU Fashion
What's hot and what's not
By Stacy Adams
Staff Writer
Many Clark Atlanta Uni
versity students say short-
shorts, wrap skirts and ca
sual fashions are at the top
of their fashion lists for the
summer season.
As stated by some CAU
students, this season’s fash
ion line-up seems to be filled
with a variety of trend set
ting styles, fabrics and col
ors.
Sophomore Dawn
McKenzie, says she usually
shops at department stores
and outlets. She thinks the
fashion scene at CAU is very
reminiscent of the past.
McKenzie says she prefers a
casual yet conservative,
“This season it seems to be
the 60's look with clogs,
flipped hairdos and such.
We are on a college campus
so we see a lot of everything. ”
Junior, Marvin A. Cooke
said he enjoys comfortable
clothes that are durable, “I
really don't respect name
brands,” he said. Cooke
added that he shops any
where that he can find rea
sonable prices. He described
the CAU fashion trend as
“anything expensive.”
Diane Graver, sales as
sociate at the Gap, located
in Underground Atlanta, said
this year’s popular fashions
include bell bottoms, short-
shorts, wrap skirts and a
variety of floral patterns.
Graver also said that plaids
are a trendy buy at the unisex
store.
Vicki Laevatt, store man
ager at the Limited Express
agrees that plaid is in this
season. According to Laevett,
sleeveless tube dresses,
denim and "daisy duke"
shorts are really hot. Laevatt
added that star and striped
prints, silk tank tops and
silver accessories are also
big this year.
CAU senior Kirby Free
man said he includes tradi
tional casual wear in his
spring wardrobe. Freeman
said he usually shops at the
Gap for his "relaxed look"
and Macy’s or Britches for
business attire, "For busi
ness wear I prefer a more
conservative look. The con
servative style tends to be
more acceptable and the
style usually does not
change,” said Freeman.
Sophisticated outfits,
baggy clothes and various
accessories are also preva
lent on the CAU campus ac
cording to freshman,
Terrinee Gundy. She enjoys
the casual style of shorts, T-
shirts and tennis shoes.She
does most of her shopping at
Lenox, Cumberland and
Southlake Malls.
According to these CAU
students, there are a vari
ety of ideas for fashion trends
and the casual scene is this
season’s most popular
choice.
CAU professor reveals the secrets to success
By Luqman Farid
Staff Writer
Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice; by Dennis Kimbro, updates Napo
leon Hill’s version by examining the success of African-Americans and expounds
on the theories that made the original a classic.
Kimbro strategically equates progressive thinking with success, happiness,
and fulfillment. These basic tenets guide the book through 12 inspiring chapters.
The forward, by Wall “Famous” Amos, sets the tone and prepares the reader
for a “transformationall experience.'’
As one who is familiar with the accolades of success, Amos prescribes this
book for anyone seeking a new and improved life. “Think and Grow Rich: A Black
Choice is meant to be studied and put into practice, practice, practice,'' Amos
vehemently stated.
Each chapter is initiated by several quotes befitting its theme. In each of the
12 chapters, Kimbro systematically constructs his theories while he builds-up to the
final and conclusive chapter.
The author uses a variety of successful African-Americans to emphasize the
fact that no matter what the prevailing situation may be; regardless of race, color or
cultural difference, anyone who “thinks it, believes" it, can achieve it.” These affluent
figures include George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Mary McLeod
Bethune, Alonzo Herndon to Spike Lee. From filmmakers to freedom fighters to
astronauts to athletes, this book encompasses a plethora of African-American talent.
However, this book concentrates on individual achievement only and points
to the reader as the sole controller of his or her own destiny. The principles and ideas
featured in this book can be applied to collective achievement, which is said to be
imperative for a productive African-American community.
Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice can serve as prerequisite for anyone
seeking success in America. The philosophies and ideas in this book proved to be
successful for the many featured in it and can work for the reader as well, if properly
applied.
This book is good and inspirational reading and should be on the shelf of all
successful-minded individuals.
