Suit Up to Win: Body, Mind & Soul

 

Black male empowerment initiative by K&G Fashion Superstore                                            

 

Baltimore, Md. –  Six dynamic men will participate as panelists in the Suit Up to Win: Body, Mind & Soul workshop sponsored by K&G Fashion Superstore. The “Rev Up Your Income”  workshop  is on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Reginald E. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture center, 830 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore.  The workshop panelists will discuss the following topics: starting and managing a business, financial success, importance of fashion and style, and second careers.

 

 The panelists include Keion Carpenter, former Atlanta Falcon and Buffalo Bills National Football League safety.  He founded The Carpenter House, Inc., a Maryland based not-for-profit organization for disadvantaged families and is a partner in FMK (For My Kids) which helps urban children gain admission to colleges and universities.

 

Armando Seay is  founder and senior executive vice president of Ross Technologies Inc., a firm specializing in information technology and management consulting.   Prior to founding his company, he  led sales, operations, marketing and technology operations of Fortune 500 firms. Ross Technology serves the federal government and focuses on cyber defense.

 

Stacey Carver is an entrepreneur and a Maryland state certified teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System who has been recognized on “Live with Regis and Kelly” as one of America’s top teachers. His recognition resulted in his school receiving $10,000 for his school to start a library.  Ray Lucas is a Baltimore area community leader, educator, mentor and management consultant.  He is president of 100 Black Men of Maryland, Inc. Troy Johnson is president of the Association of Black Media Workers and Baltimore host of Washington, D.C. radio’s WHUR 96.3, “The Hang Suite.”  Montrell Brooks is a Rosedale, Md. store manager for K&G Fashion Superstore; the corporate office, headquartered in Atlanta is sponsoring the event.

 

Committed to male empowerment on the inside and outside, K&G stores carry a broad range of suit brands including those launched by celebrities: Dallas Cowboy superstar Michael Irvin, comedian and author Steve Harvey, record producer Sean “Diddy” Combs and celebrity designer Montee Tayion Holland.  

 

The Suit Up to Win: Body, Mind & Soul initiative was launched  in partnership with SMSi companies, two minority owned enterprises, led by Lafayette Jones  and his partner, Sandra Miller Jones and is sponsored by K&G Fashion Superstore.   Opinion leader luncheons with  church, community and political leaders; community workshops discussing positive thinking, job interview techniques and financial management, are part of the initiative. Good Grooming Days at K&G Fashion Superstore locations provide men with fashion consultant advice; those who buy suits   receive complimentary services like haircuts and manicures.  The next one will be Saturday, June 4, 8655 Pulaski Highway, Rosedale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

 

Local celebrities, leaders and role models are featured as  initiative partners with networking groups like 100 Black Men, African-American fraternities, Masonic Lodges and men’s church ministries.      Black radio stations, newspapers and local television are promoting the events.  Complimentary copies of the  “Urban Call:  Suit Up to Win: Body, Mind & Soul” publication  with K & G Rewards applications, $10 coupons,  men’s grooming samples and posters,  are being distributed to barbershops, beauty salons and churches. Selected churches receive rebates for all the K&G Fashion Superstore merchandise purchased by their congregations.  A total of 4,000 VIP gift certificates worth $25 are being distributed to church, organization, community and media leaders and their constituents.  K&G is giving away $150 gift cards for suits to men in urban communities.  K&G’s total community gifts are valued at one million dollars.