Ajaini Modeling, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bandele owns a modeling company. Do you think he can teach me a good cat walk? Well, he would have his hands full!!! SMILE!

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Do you feel education is the key out of poverty?
Bandele: Yes, I feel that an education is very important. I believe that every one should take time to get an education. As you see, the world is changing every day, and the economy is changing. It is hard for an educated man or woman to get a job, but not impossible. As for the men and women who have not finished school, it is going to be hard for them to get a job, not impossible but hard. It is a requirement that men and women who apply for jobs at least have a GED. So, yes, I do believe in education and encourage men and women to go back to school to get a high school diploma or GED because for African Americans, Latinos, and other minorities, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: What college education do you have?
Bandele: I have graduated from Edmonds Community College in Lynwood, WA. I also attended Prairie View A& M University, in which my great great grand parent helped to start. I did not graduate from there, but however, it was a learning experience of a life time. That is where I learned the importance of an education. Prairie View A&M was my educational turning point. After I attended Prairie View and saw how many successful African American men and women there was, I knew right then that in order to make it and be successful, you must have an education, high school, college or other wise. I owe a great deal of respect to the staff of Prairie View A&M.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: How has college made your life better?
Bandele: Education has made my life better in more ways than one. With out an education, I would not have learned all about the modeling industry or been able to put together a successful business plan. I am still in school. There is a lot to learn about business and doing it the right way. I am able to go out into the community and help the elders of my community learn how to do applications on the computer, program their computer, help them educationally, which I get a great deal of respect for education because with it, I can't help any one because I wouldn't be able to help myself. Getting an education is a right that our people died for, bleed for, got beat for, and even killed for. You know when you see these old slave movies and an educated child has come home to see his family and show how successful they have become, well, that's how I feel about the education I have. I am not putting any one down who dose not have a high school diploma. I would just like to encourage you/them to please go back to school.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Tell me about your modeling company, Ajainimodeling.
Bandele: Ajaini Model Management is a minority based model/talent agency located in the Albuquerque Area. Ajaini Model Management is designed to work with models and aspiring talent who know they have what it takes to make it but need help in obtaining success in the industry, which can eat you up and spit you out in a matter of seconds. You see Ajaini Model Management is focused on success. We built our business around minority talent because in the main stream masses of the American society, minorities are seldom seen in the right light. I order for African Americans to make it in the industry.... Ajaini Model Management wants to put true beauty in the eyes of the American public and show that we as minorities are more than just the king entertainment. But, as well, we look just as good as the rest. In fact, I think we are the best. Ajaini Model Management never charges a fee to join. We start right off the back with business. We want our models and talent to succeed against all odds stacked against them.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
Bandele: Well, I see myself offering jobs to minority models, and I see myself as a very successful black male despite... I see myself on BET and at the OSCARS, EMMYS, Golden Globe, ... I see myself as a rich man, not rich with money but filthy rich with education. This is money that was well spent on self perseveration.

This was a very interesting interview with Bandele. He has similar opinions to my own. Until my next great interview, dream big because dreaming is still free. Spanish-Amiga$$

WORKS CITED

Gatson, Bandele Ajaini. March 16, 2010. Personal communication via notes.