Space and Time with Howard R. Jean

On the weekend of Howard University's homecoming, an event that has become more of a car and fashion show, than a celebration of the most historic black university in America, I sat down with Howard R. Jean at a small non-descript bar in "Chocolate City". While discussing everything from black male feminism to fashion I couldn't help but think about how much the district has changed and the impact that one person like Howard could have on this particular city. He made the trip from Philly to discuss with the Sovereign Space his plans for the future, his goals and how one individual with one idea can change the world. If only the District had more individuals like Howard. From our lengthy conversation, I gathered most of my notes fairly quickly. His resume had already spoken for him. He's an educator with nearly a decade of work in the field. He's a mentor that served as the director of the Call Me Mister Program at Cheyney University. He's the head of his own consultant firm. He's appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, worked with Bill Cosby and Tavis Smiley. But those written accomplishments are merely a glimpse of the limitless potential that Howard exhibits. To be frank, I was more impressed by his attention to detail. The passion in his voice when discussing the importance of branding. Howard R. Jean is young, ambitious and grounded. Howard R. Jean is carving his own path. Howard R. Jean is sovereign.

Who is Howard R. Jean?

I'm a visionary leader. I'm a leader that embodies the drive, passion and ambition that will gradually ignite a revolution of service. I am one of the agents or architects that are building the next generation, all while enjoying life. Above all, I'm curious.

Is it your curiosity that led you to education?

Education was more of a calling or a rite of passage for me not so much curiosity. I see education as a lifestyle. So it wasn't like I just wanted a job. I saw it as my chance to be a Malcolm X or a Sojourner Truth in the classroom. The MISTER program is about rebranding the black man and how we are perceived. I wanted to be a part of that. For black men, when they teach it's not just education, its ancestral. You know, before integration it was a mission for blacks to educate blacks. But now that has evolved and blacks are educating not only ourselves but also educating others about our culture and just life in general.

So how important is image to you? As a teacher myself, I feel image is very important. I want my students, of all races, to understand that a black man doesn't have to be a basketball player, rapper or criminal. How do you feel about image?

I look at everything as three dimensional. Everything has 3 layers. The knowledge, the way you act and the way it's perceived. Image is powerful. For instance, right now I'm rebranding this company, the space is incredible, the business is great but the image is not consistent with that. So it's hard to sell an idea without an image to back it up. We're visual creatures. We like to touch things and we have an imagination also. So image can spark the imagination and bring everything together. Businesses have an image and a spirit.

Speaking of image and branding, can you brand a black man?

Great question. I think you can mold an image. And not just a black man but any man. You can mold anyone's image and how they are perceived. But you can't change the core. If Pepsi was in a Guinness bottle I could rebrand the way it looks but the way it's going to come out and the way people connect with it, I can't change. So I think we can help change the external or the perception of the black male but it is what it is. Black men are going to be aggressive, we're going to be dynamic and multi-faceted.

How much does your personal vision and experiences as a black man go into the product that you are helping to create with other companies?

I like to see myself as a filter. But I also try to be as completely unbiased as possible. So if I'm in charge of directing or guiding a company, I have to be as non bias as possible. It's very difficult and I haven't perfected it. But the more non-biased, and the more I am able to focus on who I am, whoever I'm working with at the time, whether an organization or a school, the better off we will both be.

Do you like working on the education side more or private business?

It's interesting because I'm going into a new space. In the past 3 to 4 years, I've been coining this phrase "educators are entrepreneurs". Because as an educator yourself, you know that when you're going to school to be a teacher, it was never said to be an entrepreneur or start your own teaching company. They never mention starting your own charter school. That way of thinking was never promoted, it was never expected. So for me, I love both. Right now I'm thirsty and I want to promote that entrepreneurial mindset. I want to be a role model or an example of how you can do it. It took me to be an educator for a good amount of time to put me into a position that I could offer something to the business field. It's the perfect marriage for me. I really love both. It's been a journey for me. I'm learning more about myself and it's been an exciting journey.

What has inspired your journey?

I think the reason I'm taking this journey is because I'm really inspired by philanthropy. I don't want to be one of these people that work 90 hours a week but then when it comes time to write a check to support the community, they aren't able to do that. I believe in serving with your hands and also monetarily. The only way I know I can get to that point is by becoming a businessman. I have to create wealth in order to give it to someone else. I have to be an example for my family, for my nephews and nieces. I want to teach them how to save but more importantly how to give. I want to create a generation of giving.

How powerful is the individual?

It's like a match starting a forest fire. If you're determined and if you can get people to believe in you like you've believed in yourself for so long, you can spark change. Social change, economic development, educational change, etc. No man is an island himself but we can do a lot individually. And individually, but still thinking with the mindset that 'well I'm a captain now, but when I get with other captains, I could work in their army'. I think one thing about our culture, I know I keep referring back to our culture, but there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed. But one thing about us is that we're really into that dog eat dog mentality. That ambition is good but it's a negative energy. It's time to start extracting that energy and channeling it in a more positive way. For instance, those guys on Wall Street, their objective was very single minded and selfish but their energy and intellect was crazy and I admire that. Another example, look at Christopher Columbus. We all know he didn't discover America. But if he didn't do what he did, we wouldn't be here. If you think about it, he was one of the first to display that arrogance and sense of entitlement. You can have a sense of entitlement if you combine it with sincerity and passion and you use it in a positive manner.

Who are the individuals that helped create Howard?

Actually I call them virtual mentors. Because growing up, I didn't have a father in my life. So I looked up to Malcolm X and I looked up to Bill Cosby. I actually had the opportunity to work with Bill Cosby and I told him 'you were my virtual father for years'. I thought that was incredible. But my mother is number one. She's so powerful. She's dynamic. She's intelligent. She's sweet. But she's tough. I want to epitomize her in my life through my actions. Right now, I think it's important for us to uphold the women that have molded and shaped us. In today's world, we characterize women as weak. We call guys out all the time for being 'soft' or your being a 'pussy' or whatever. And when you do that, you are further degrading the female. A colleague of mine, Charles Davis, is starting this whole black feminist movement that men should have. It's basically for us to acknowledge the strength in women. We don't need to knock down a woman to build masculinity. So I give my mother all the credit for where I am today.

What makes you sovereign?

Follow Howard on Twitter - HERE
Visit his website, to find out his latest projects, goals, and accomplishments HERE
Noticed Howard's pink shirt? Real men wear pink. Support The National Breast Cancer Foundation.