Even the smallest shot of insanity can be deadly. Nija "Morenike'" Matory has been writing short stories and poems since she was a young girl in elementary school. Her passion for reading and writing developed at an early age. "Reading was very important in my home, my parents' relationship started from the discussion of a book; reading created my family." Taste of Insanity had only been available a month after its release on the book shelves when Amazon was forced to put up a notice informing patrons that the book was out of stock; this occurred more than once!
Author Morenike` is a native of Jackson, Mississippi and a graduate of Jackson State University, B.A. English. She is currently furthering her education completing course work required to receive her Masters of Art in English. Morenike' aspires to one day become a world-renowned novelist, focusing on African American literature (fiction), poems, and short stories that reflect the African American experience and community.
Morenike' recently sat down with inTOUCH to share how the smallest shot of insanity could be deadly.
InTOUCH: Miss Nija 'Morenike' Matory formally known as Morenike'; your name is unique in itself. What influenced you to become an author?
Morenike': I come from a family of avid readers so it was instilled in me to read, read, read. I'd read so many stories until I finally realized there is power in words. Writing chose me and I am grateful for my purpose and the ability to speak for the voiceless.
InTOUCH: It is so refreshing to meet someone that can appreciate reading! Today many would express how literacy is lost in many homes. How would you describe yourself as an author?
Morenike': I'm a no nonsense, wild, firecracker author. (She crosses her legs, laughs and continues to say) I don't play about my characters. They are the archetype and they represent a plethora of people; to insult my characters is to insult the people they represent and the real life issues and experiences which is the basis of it all.
InTOUCH: It is interesting that you use real life issues and experiences to build your characters. What is your main source of inspiration?
Morenike':My biggest inspiration are my supporters. People that continuously tell me, "I remember when you use to write all those stories in elementary, middle, and high school; don't give up." (she looks up) and I'm so thankful to receive the strength that I get from above. I really want my supporters to know that it is become of them. Everyone needs a support system and I am to blessed to have mine.
InTOUCH: Receiving your peers compliments must be very rewarding. Now, let's talk more about your debut novel!! Tell us about Taste of Insanity.
Morenike': (She sits back with a small grin to reply) Taste of Insanity is about three young women that are hit with some form of travesty in their lives which lands them in a mental institution. While there, they are faced with secrets and memories from their past, dealing with their present and therapy, and coping with what the future will bring. The book is published under La Femme Fatale Publishing and is now available on Amazon. I was really excited about the release on April 1, 2013. To walk in a library and see my book on the shelves was a dream come true!
InTOUCH: Now, we don't want to spoil it for the folks that have not read your book, but I must admit the plot is intense. Please explain to us what initiated the writing/planning process for this book?
Morenike': Honestly, the idea for this book has been with me since high school but people weren't ready to hear such a powerful story at the time. I wrote it all out when I was encouraged by the spirit to take action on my thoughts for the novel. The time was divinely ordained.
InTOUCH: For our audience that have yet to read the book please give them a little sneak peek of the ending.
Morenike': (She hesitates a little) well I must hold
On Saturday February 23rd, 2013 Nike hosted a day of service in celebration of the 37th annual Black History Month with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Metro Atlanta organization. Three Atlanta based athletes who were rebels in their sport as well as game-changers in their community were selected to inspire the youth and enable with a purpose. Anson Carter (NHL), Fred McCrary (NFL), and Warrick Dunn (NFL) spoke to a room of BBBS "Little's" about what it means to "Be Bold. Be True." They also shared stories of their past, and the obstacles they've overcome to achieve their goals.
In addition Nike Sportswear Senior Footwear Designer Jonathan Johnson-Griffin was also in attendance to speak about his journey as an African American designer, as well as the inspiration behind the 2013 Nike Black History Month footwear and apparel collection.
The event was hosted by WXIA 11 Alive's Sam Crenshaw and took place at the Big Brothers Big Sisters midtown headquarters nicknamed "The House." Exclusive Nike "Be Bold. Be True." T-shirts were given out to youth in attendance.
This was a great event. Thanks to everybody who helped make this happen. Always remember influence and inspiration is important for our youth.
L to R: Anson Carter, Warrick Dunn, Jonathan Johnson-Griffin, Fred McCrary
Senor Kaos warming up the crowd
JJG and a piece of the Nike 2013 BHM footwear & apparel collection designed by Jonthan Johnson-Griffin
Former Atlanta Falcon Warrick Dunn
Senor Kaos, Anson Carter, Warrick Dunn, Janice McKenzie-Crayton, Alicia Willis, JJG, Fred McCrary, Christian Weaver
NBA All Star Weekend is amongst us. That means you can expect a lot of ATL strippers headed to Houston, new footwear releases from the swoosh, the dunk contest, and some fresh ad spots.
Check out two new commercials one for the Jordan XX8 and the other letting you know KD Is Not Nice! I'm sure these will be on heavy rotation on the tube this weekend. What do you think?
Jordan - Dare To Fly spot. I like this one a lot. MJ always make a great narrater.
Kevin Durant kisses his mom before games, gives respectful interviews and always makes time for the fans. He's the nicest guy in the NBA. There's no way he could be responsible for a rash of vicious highlight dunks. Or could he?"
On New Year's Eve Nike dropped the Air Max OG pack which included the Air Max 90 (Infared), Air Max 95, Air Max 1, and Air Max 97 all in original color ways.
Less than a month later, the OG pack get's a remix. This time we get the same classic silhouettes but with updated mesh, called "Engineered Mesh." Read below for more details.
The Nike Air Max 1, 90, 95, and 97 are some of the most pined-after silhouettes that Nike has to offer. One would be hard pressed not to find a pair roaming the streets in major cities all over the world - whether they're tied tightly to carry someone to a new PR or loosely laced under a pair of jeans. The Nike Air Max line redefined and transcended the look of sport to become a cultural movement. So when Nike designers started discussing ways to reinvent these iconic models, they didn't take it lightly. How to re-imagine these classics while staying true to the sneakers' timeless style?
Enter Nike Engineered Mesh: new proprietary mesh patterns that enhance the functionality while retaining the overall look of the original models. It enables both tight and loose perforation patterns to replace traditional color blocking, gradients and overlay placement. Originally used in performance running footwear, the varying perf patterns allow for "zoned" contruction: Tighter patterns are placed where durability is paramount while looser patterns are used where breathability reigns supreme. The result is a more breathable, flexible and durable Air Max family - lighter and leaner than ever.
The Engineered Mesh Air Max collection will be available beginning January 2013.
Update: The Air Max EM Pack drops on Jan 17th, 2013.
Out of all the kicks I own... I don't have any made out of cork. Lebron X corks are CRAZY! Nike making a celebratory shoe for Bron as he wins a ring, a gold medal, and MVP all in the same summer. You might wanna toast up! These are supposed to be dropping in December, but there's no official release date yet. Don't expect these to pop up at your local Foot Locker though. Word is these will be pretty exclusive. Need me a pair for sure!
Nike, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development and worldwide marketing and selling of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories and services. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, in the Portland metropolitan area. It is the world's leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$24.1 billion in its fiscal year 2012 (ending May 31, 2012). As of 2012, it employed more than 44,000 people worldwide. The brand alone is valued at $10.7 Billion making it the most valuable brand among sports businesses. Nike and Precision Castparts are the only Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state of Oregon, according to The Oregonian.
The company was founded on January 25, 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1978. The company takes its name from Nike , the Greek goddess of victory. Nike markets its products under its own brand, as well as Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, Air Jordan, Nike Skateboarding, and subsidiaries including Cole Haan, Hurley International, Umbro and Converse. Nike also owned Bauer Hockey (later renamed Nike Bauer) between 1995 and 2008. In addition to manufacturing sportswear and equipment, the company operates retail stores under the Niketown name. Nike sponsors many high-profile athletes and sports teams around the world, with the highly recognized trademarks of "Just Do It" and the Swoosh logo.
Today Nike releases two new colors of the Nike+ Fuelband. In addition to the Black/Steel color that launched early this year, now there's two new colors known as black ice & white ice. The ice Fuelbands are transparent so you can see the microchips inside. In addition to these new bands being available at Nike stores, Apple retailers are also now selling the Fuelband.
If you remember earlier this year the Nike+ Fuelband was thee hot item to have. It was only sold in two Nike stores in NYC and anybody else that wanted it had to be lucky enough to catch it when the online replenishment came through on Mondays. Now with the widened distribution consumers around the country have more access to the Fuelband. That's pretty HUGE.
I've had mine since about April and I love it. If I forget to wear it, or leave it at home, I'm upset at the fuel points I could be gaining. It's also cool to compete with friends who have one as well. The Nike+ Fuelband measures your activity during a days time. It turns your movement into "Fuel" and also tracks steps, and calories. Once you know how active you are, you'll want to be more active and that's the inspiration behind the Fuelband.
Now that Apple stores are carrying the Fuelband and it may be easier to get ahold of one, will you be copping?
Nike+ FuelBand and Path: A Day with Ndamukong Suh
Suh shows you how to get 6,000 Fuel points. Life is a sport... Make It Count!
This past week my travels took me to Portland, Oregon where I visited Nike's World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon (just outside Portland) for the first time.
I was invited to perform the song "Never Stop" which I created for ultra-endurance athlete Jason Lester earlier this year during his "journey 4 a better world" run across the U.S.
I performed on Wednesday morning in the Tiger Woods building to a crowd of 400 Nike retail managers and employees. It was a truly an amazing experience I will never forget.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Tim Hershey Nike GM while there. I was amazed at how down to earth and cool T.H. was upon meeting him. After the performance I found some time to take a tour of the Nike campus. It is truly an amazing place. Each building, named after a different athlete houses a shrine to that athlete.
The Michael Jordan building has a collection of Jordan kicks, rocked by Mike himself that spans 15 years in the lobby.
On March 19th, 2012 Nike Ultra Endurance Athlete Jason Lester began The Journey for a Better World in NYC. Over the next 102 days, he has run and biked 4,800 miles across the United States to Oregon to show the world how a Better World starts with sport.
Along the way, he made a stop in ATL on April 13th, where I got the chance to meet him and hear about his journey. I penned a poem entitled "Better Journey" as a surprise to welcome him to Atlanta.
As a result, Jason challenged me to make a song called "Never Stop" which is his mantra. A month later, and several more states into his journey, I FINALLY put together a theme song for Jason called "Never Stop."
Produced By NYC DJ/Producer DJ Eleven (The Rub), this track is designed to "do good with a vengeance."
Jason is inspiring the world through sport, as I try to inspire the world through music.
Recently I was selected as a Nike Better World Champion for the Atlanta, GA market. I will be working with the Swoosh to create a better world through sport.
If know me personally or even just my music you will know I have a passion for making the world a better place. I am excited to be chosen and to be working on what the future holds for Nike Better Wold in my city.
April is already gearing up to be pretty amazing. Stay tuned, I'll keep you updated on my journey.
New Orleans MC SOL shows us a piece of his "World" with his newest single from his Royal Flush Mixtape: "The World" download or stream his new single below:
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