EXPERIENCE/BACKGROUND
In the early-to-mid 1990s, MJ attended Talladega College studying English/Journalism however subsequently dropped out to become a working single father.
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| MJ with eldest daughter, N'Gina Ka'oma (and her mother, LaKia [L] and new grandmother, Veverly/"Granny" [R]), 1993. |
Because of its hectic nature, his dream of becoming a writer and artist had to wait and like so many other people's dreams as well was pushed to the background where it lay dormant for decades.
Although he got his artistic and musical talents and entrepreneurial streak from both parents, MJ's educational background sprang from his mother's side of the family.
His mother's professional career included working as an administrative executive for the BJCC, UAB, B'ham City Schools/BCS, being a small business owner and regional church "darling" via her community involvement and angelic singing voice.
His mother's professional career included working as an administrative executive for the BJCC, UAB, B'ham City Schools/BCS, being a small business owner and regional church "darling" via her community involvement and angelic singing voice.
MJ's career likewise involved music, journalism and teaching through Birmingham City Schools/BCS during the 2000s as a Title I LD Assistant, I.S.S (In-School Suspension), English & Reading Comprehension, Computer Technology instructor, student mentor and also became an administrative executive during the final two of his seven year career in formal Education.
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| MJ and mother, Veverly Ann Simmons (Locke), c1988 |
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| MJ's mother owned Alabama Church News publications in the mid-to-late 1980's. |
However his Real Estate Investing background came from working alongside his father (a carpenter, HABD/city building inspector and independent Real Estate investor) since MJ was 12 years old until his dad's untimely passing in 2012.
A part of his legacy has been MJ's habit of constantly improving himself through years of focused research and self-programming no matter the circumstance.
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| MJ and father Ralph at A.H. Parker HS graduation, 1993. |
MJ also inherited his mother's big heart as she and her husband Earl Dean Locke were involved in child advocacy/foster parenting for over a decade when they chose to adopt MJ's latest sibling addition, Chris and Erica (Locke) at two and three years old.
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| MJ's sister and brother, Chris and Erica Locke, c2003. |
Consistent learning/self-programming instilled by MJ's father has since snowballed exponentially by starting STARSHIP's journal v1.0 in 2010.
With a deep desire to help his loved ones in need thrive in life instilled by his mother, he's since grown into an entrepreneurial "mensch" with both grand and noble ambition, navigating the latest frontiers of technological implementation, business and bringing positive change through creative learning, intelligent play, professional innovation and right character development.
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| MJ Simmons, Founder of STARSHIP Creative, LLC |
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