|
|
|
FEATURED ENTREPRENEURS
|
|
This FAMU Rattler is prepared to shake up the competition in the multimedia sector!
Make no mistake about it - Jericho's no one-hit wonder. In fact, true to
their name in the literal sense, they're here to stay and to make a new way on the netwaves
and beyond!
They're not necessarily telling today's media conglomerates to step
aside...yet. They're simply saying, "make room, 'cause - ready or not - here we come"! On the
road to audibly entice a new breed of listeners and media hounds, this modest father of three took a short
break from household duties of a far-from-mundane Saturday routine to share his vision with
The HBCU Network.
By Brook Brandon
The company name is derived from the Biblical account in which the guarded city of
Jericho was successfully claimed for the Chosen People. The determined nature of the
people to keep pushing while relying on faith enabled them to realize their goal. It is
in this same manner that Jericho intends to make its mark in the multimedia world - by
utilizing force... "not fighting force, but force of faith", says Eavins.
Thus, the name was selected with the company motto in mind: Breaking down the walls of communication!
Though it�s a struggle at times in its early stages, Eavins relies on the underlying
example of endurance, determination, and eventual success of the company�s namesake to
aid in making the boundless vision that is Jericho come alive.
This native Floridian, whose early years were spent in Palm Beach County
and Miami,
now resides in central Florida. Motivated by the philosophies of W.E.B DuBois
regarding the power of the media, Eavins knew at an early age that he'd
wanted to be an entrepreneur. That goal was further encouraged by the
professors at his alma mater, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. They also helped guide Eavins
toward not only identifying a need, but also taking actions to address it. His desire
to change the way Black Americans look at themselves as well as one another is a
longstanding one. He realizes that it's a charge that must be championed
from within, and Jericho's a step in that direction. "It's been sort of
taboo for us (Blacks) to have more than they think we should have", says Eavins.
"Jericho's here to change that".
The company has already spearheaded several projects, such as:
- V108 (Online Tool, Jericho Broadcast Networks) - This could
possibly be the 1st
fully commercial Black-owned internet radio station to date. Eavins believes that,
unlike corporate radio's tendency to focus more on budget trimming and less emphasis on
personality-based broadcasting, their smaller size enables them to hold the wants and
needs of the listening audience as their top priority. "If we're not
delivering what you want, tell us!", states Eavins. "If we're not playing the type of
music you want to hear on the radio station...(if we're not) giving you the type of
information you'd like to see in a news broadcast when we start our news program or in magazines or anything of the
nature, tell us! Treat us just like you would any other network."
- Black College Sports Network (coming in August 2002) - Eavins
likens this to an 'ESPN for Black College Athletics'. Athletic events from HBCUs will be broadcast on
the internet during prime-time on Saturdays. After a 6 year pursuit, Jericho has secured
the both the SWAC and the SIAC under contract for radio and television-style broadcasting
this upcoming season. The goal of BCSN is to take Black College Sports to another level
where they can compete with other universities, whose facilities tend to lend more exposure
to professional-league bound athletes. "Some 20-30 years ago, Black
athletes had no other choice than to go to HBCUs... in fact, some of the best athletes came from
HBCUs, like Jerry Rice and Walter Payton. The talent levels are still there, but Jericho
wants to help give them the opportunity". Eavins is convinced that this brand of broadcasting could be
instrumental in not only bringing Black athletes back to HBCUs, but also drawing other
students.
- Joint Venture w/ Carlton Creations ("Pyramid Comix" - line of
ethnic comic books) -
Jericho has published and distributed 2 books from Carlson internationally. In fact,
these publications did considerably well in the Pacific Rim - a pleasant
surprise for Eavins.
- Saturday Morning lineup on internet (Fall 2002) - Using television-style
broadcasting, this will be aired prior to the sports coverage. Two shows are currently
being reviewed, and children's programming will also be included.
- Magazine: Today's Renaissance Man (one of 1st projects) - The
course of this project - one of Jericho's first - serves as an example of one with a strong vision but
hindered due to financial challenges. After submitting a four-page preview of the magazine,
Barnes and Noble decided to carry the first issue in its stores - an
unprecedented feat for such a short sample. However, when several of the main advertisers suddenly withdrew from
the project, the second edition was never able to be produced. For Eavins, this served as a
learning tool and led him to refocus to use of the internet as a medium.
A self-professed fan of sports and cartoons whose community roots date back to his
position as a Crime Prevention Specialist with the Urban League, Eavins is looking forward
to the realization of Jericho's vision on all fronts. Commercially, he
pictures Jericho as one of the foremost media organizations in the world - not the
No. 1 Black media organization, but No. 1 without any distinctions or
categories. On
the public service side, the company plans to be a great contributor to community-based organizations, particularly youth groups.
"We're looking to become very aggressive in our communities", Eavins
proclaims. "We have to teach our children what we want them to know - we can't expect anyone
else to." One of the paramount goals of Jericho is to build up communities around the country.
When asked about the factors that drive his entrepreneurial spirit, Eavins addressed the
need for economic empowerment in the Black Community. "Our mantra/motto -
'I am my brother's keeper!' - says it all. We need to get to the point where we treat African
American (owned businesses) like we treat other businesses." In an environment
that still struggles to give comparable opportunities to Black entrepreneurs as those of the mainstream,
Jericho's mantra serves as a continual reminder to its founder as well as
those who support the company. After all, there's the all too familiar story of the black
"mom-and-pop" store that boasts delivery services and lower prices yet struggles to avoid closing its doors when
a foreign competitor opens up a similar type of shop in the same area only with higher prices,
fewer services, and a less-than-personable storefront manner. It's
scenarios such as these that Eavins believes reaffirms the need for initiating and supporting entrepreneurship in the
Black Community.
Within 10 years, Eavins foresees Jericho as being trendsetters in the media industry.
In time, with diligence and determination, he believes that this company will be one
that sets the standard for how things should be done. With numerous leads and plans for
development unfolding, there's no telling where Jericho can go! I asked
him to fill us in on ways that the public can support his company and its future goals.
"Be receptive to what we're providing," implored Eavins. "We need the general consumer to
help us help you, in essence."
With upcoming innovative projects, a broadening market base, and unwavering faith in
Jericho's mission, this intelligent Brother is ready to sound the battle cry for prosperity!
Log onto to www.jerichobroadcasting.com,
fill out the short registration form (no fee required), and check out the sounds of Jericho! Please send any
comments, questions, and requests for detailed information to: info@jerichobroadcasting.com.
Also, to see if Jericho's coming to a city near you, pull up the website
for a listing of the company's 30 cities targeted for distribution!
|
|
|
|
|
|
