The DMV48 Men Of Power: A Local Guide To Great Black Men in the DMV

By Bruce Branch and Dr. Reneé Allen

The time has come to celebrate black men. They stand on the shoulders of Kings and Queens; not pimps and pawns. They often carry the burdens of an entire race with grace and dignity, never complaining and always ready to move every mountain that stands in the way of success. Many have accomplished so much with so little fanfare, often hidden in

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Aug 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781648955136

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Forward By Emerick A. Peace

Managing Partner, Owner, Keller Williams Preferred Properties

I am delighted to be a part of something that celebrates Black Men and their accomplishments. As the Immediate Past President of the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County, I continue to be in the trenches to build, mentor and empower black men. The job isn’t always easy, but the reward is worth it. The greatest attack on the black community is the family. That has been systematically a part of the plan since the days of slavery. Empower – when necessary, the black woman and emasculate the black man through affirmative action laws and other clever legal maneuvers. Now we have another epidemic on our hands, the justifiable killings of black men by law enforcement officials. Just think former NFL player Michael Vick got more time for abusing a dog than an overwhelming number of police officers received for killing innocent black men. The attempt to stymie voter participation in our community. High unemployment, racial tension and an increase in violent crime and gun violence in our community. Nevertheless, there are a growing number of black men who have been able to rise above their circumstances and social injustice to make a positive difference in the Washington Metropolitan Area. This book celebrates them and their achievements in an effort to create a lasting memorial to black men that will forever be etched in the memories of time and society. We salute strong black men who are keeping our families and communities together by showing us a positive light in the midst of what are often dark circumstances. As a backdrop, we utilize the 48 laws of power that signifies strength, power, leadership and intellect and serves notice that a new day is dawning in America and throughout the DMV.

Meet The Authors

Dr. Renee’ Starlynn Allen; Radio & TV Host, Advocate for Human Decency

@The People’s Emcee

Dr. Renee Allen is one of the most widely known and popular Emcee’s in the Washington Metropolitan. She has carved out a reputation as the go-to-woman for red carpet celebrity events. Allen also is a strong advocate for small business and women’s issues and serves on numerous boards and supports several faith-based and community organizations that is in line with her vision of building a better tomorrow for people of color. As host of the Renee Allen & Friends Show on WVLS Radio and co-host of the Chris Thomas Shown on Radio One/Urban One and Media Correspondent for Sister 2 Sister 2.0 with Jamie Foster-Brown, Allen uses her various platforms to connect and empower likeminded, talented and gifted people with projects and resources. Widely known for her philanthropic heart and dedication to the betterment of humanity, Allen is committed to educating, inspiring women, men and children. Her Voice for Change and global nonprofit The Global Conscious Foundation, Inc., exemplifies her high magnetic energy and love for all people. Allen is featured in the second edition of Who’s Who in Black Washington, DC, as one of the Women of Excellence. She is an international bestselling author of the book "Rebel Rising" and currently writing her first solo book called Star Power which shares some her personal life story in an effort to inspire others to ‘shine’ through life despite the many challenges that they may face.

As Vice President of Media, Global Health Solutions (GHS), she is in partnership with the United Nations (UN) and an Ambassador for Health and Human Trafficking. Dr. Allen is Vice President, American Mother’s Inc. committed to supporting mothers through service and education. Board of Directors, Felicia’s Fund which supports education for women and girls in Nigeria and the U.S.

Allen has graced the stage of many prestigious events as red carpet correspondent, emcee and/or moderator; MadeMan, NAACP, CFC, Fannie Mae, Power Networking Conference, Mrs. DC America Pageant, BMW Pay It 4ward, Richard Wright Gala, NeVetica, 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County, DCSW, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, BBB, AFRO American Newspaper, Good Girls Getting Better, P G Suite Magazine, U. S. Department of Agriculture, CAMP FIT, Girlfriends Gratitude Tea, ANYA by Vivien Couture, Women of Prince George’s, Mayson-Dixie, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, D.C. Swim Week, The Spectrum Circle to name a few. Dr. Allen is a proud and highly decorated twenty-two (22) year retired VETERAN, who served two Presidents of the United States on the METU Mayo-Clinic Team and participated in the Granada Invasion and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She loves this great country, its flag and her amazing son, Chase Joseph. #OurChildrenMatter #BlackMenMatter

Dedication to Service: Bruce Branch

Bruce Branch is best known as an award-winning journalist, orator, author, community activist, civic leader businessman and spiritual leader for many people who suffer from debilitating life controlling problems. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Maryland Business and Clergy Partnership and president of Branch Communications, a business consulting firm that provides assistance, advocacy, business development and technical writing to more than 200 small businesses and nonprofits throughout the nation. He also is co-owner and co-founder of the Ujimma Broadcast Network. Branch also published the Black Connection Newspaper that was distributed in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s County and is author of "When God Calls You Better Answer." Branch, who was the first African American sportswriter at the Louisville Courier Journal in Kentucky and who hosted the first syndicated radio show for African Americans in the State of Kentucky, was inducted into the Kentucky Black Sports Hall of Fame on May 7, 2011, in Louisville, Kentucky. Branch also was the first African American sportswriter at the Macon-Telegraph-News in Macon, Georgia. Branch was an awardwinning journalist during his tenure at Gannett Owned USA Today and the Louisville Courier Journal and Times from 1980-1986. He also hosted the first syndicated African American sports show in the South, Strictly Sports, which aired on WLOU Radio for more than five years.

Branch, who has written dozens of successful movie treatments, including Casino Comedy and Players Club, is past president of the DC Chapter of the Washington Association of Black Journalists. He also wrote the documentary Financial Literacy: A View from Youth produced by the Katie Able Foundation. He also was co-founder of Bigelow Management, an entertainment firm and the BET Sponsored, River City Football Classic. As a publicist, his special gift is bringing attention to cases where individuals have suffered injustice, including DC Sniper wife Mildred Muhammad and former NBA basketball stars Chris Webber. He has worked with some of the nation’s most respected leaders, including civil rights leaders Walter Fauntroy, Dick Gregory, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Joe Madison. music mogul Akon, master promoter Al Hayman, actress Debbie Allen and Norm Nixon.

Branch has received numerous distinguished awards for his public service since graduating from the University of Maryland in College Park where he also was a charter member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Executive Member of Prince George’s County Contractors Association, and Member of Board of Directors of Langley Park Boys and Girls Club. Branch also is recipient of Nelson Mandela Freedom Award. Branch, who played basketball for Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson at St. Anthony’s High School in Washington, DC, has a journalism degree from University of Maryland in College Park, Master’s in communications from Columbia University and Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Louisville and master’s degree in Christian Communications and Doctorate in Theology from Spirit of Truth Institute in Richmond.

Black Men from A Woman’s Perspective

A Great Man Isn’t Hard to Find

By Dr. Renee Allen

The black man is the ultimate man. There is no greater human being on earth than a black man. That’s why so many women of different origins desire them. The black man is brilliant, kind, thoughtful, trusting and hard working. If you have one, hold on to him. I hear a lot of sisters talking about it, but contrary to popular belief, a great black man isn’t hard to find. He may not come in the package like you desire, but if you look beyond the surface and evaluate the heart, you might be surprised. As a professional woman, I will be the first to tell you that dating isn’t easy and finding someone to date isn’t either, but if you pull up the weeds, you will get to the roses. Our problem as women sometimes is we want readymade packages, or we don’t take into consideration the things our men go through in life. We emasculate them with our jobs, our tongues and even our place in society. Other people call black people lazy after working for them for 400 years for free. Black men are the least lazy. Black men are the smartest from cerebral, brains, sexual and working. I have witnessed it personally in five different careers and the military.

You see it on television. You see it in politics. You even see it in the church. Black men aren’t lazy. They built this nation with their hands, sweat and tears. In recent years, black men haven’t taken a back seat to women because of institutional and structural racism which have limited professional success and stymied potential. The first man that I ever loved was my father. He was strong. He was brilliant. He wasn’t afraid to try new things. He was a businessman. He had a gas station and he had to fight racism all of his life. He worked for UPS in Stratford, CT when African Americans weren’t being hired. Former military, he never allowed racism to define who he was or control him or his thinking. Married three times, that has shaped my thinking. I was like the son he never had. I can remember sitting