My Story:
Since childhood, I have been a conscious thinker, a self-starter, and someone who naturally connects with others, unknowingly laying the foundation for my journey as an entrepreneur, networker, and community activist. Embracing entrepreneurship, helping others, and networking felt innate to me, and my journey to date is proof of that. I am Joe McGee. I am THEY.

Pictured above are the greatest kids in the world, mine. Here is an early admission of pride. In my lineage, my children represent the first generation of college graduates. Two degrees earned, one in progress, and Khendal will top them all.

My official launch started in 1986, the year I graduated from Seventy First High School. That was back when seniors drove the school bus and parked it at their house. Imagine that. That same year, my brother and I moved out on our own. A move I thought made sense at the time, but looking back, it was a mistake.

I was working and trying to go to FTI, now known as FTCC. The lesson in hindsight? I should have never stacked bills before going to college. I was into motivational tapes at an early age. Someone introduced me to AMWAY, that is another story, but anyway, I remember Les Brown telling a story about how he got a job at a radio station. He said he would go there every day and ask for a job.

I tried the same thing. In 1988, I went to the ninth floor of the Wachovia building and applied for a job at Foxy 99. Naturally friendly and a good communicator, I remember the receptionist would not kick me out. She let me hang around, and the general manager would casually talk to me. For about a week or so, I got the friendly runaround. Then one day, as it happened, the general manager, Larry Green, interviewed me and gave me a job as an account executive, which was a fancy name for sales rep.

If there is a lesson here, it is this. Try and try again. The value of being persistent. I got hired at the perfect time. They were just starting a CRMC class, which stands for Certified Radio Marketing Consultant. That one certification became my college diploma. Still, there is no reason I should not have gone back to finish my degree.

But in 1990, everything came to a stop. Desert Shield hit, and this town slowed down. Radio sales dropped hard. But I bounced back.

In 1991, I started my first real business, Joe’s Limousine Service, but the entrepreneur was already in me. I remember cutting grass, fixing lawn mowers, and selling them when I was in the tenth grade. The following year, I hosted my very first business networking event, Jazz After Hours, at the iconic DeLafayette Restaurant. The event grew fast and eventually made it to the rooftop of the infamous Prince Charles Hotel in downtown Fayetteville, featuring none other than the legendary Malachi Sharpe.

By the mid-1990s, I had made my mark in the nightclub and promotions business. My partner, Craig Davis, and I cemented our place in history with The Red Roper, one of the Southeast's most legendary and era-defining nightclubs. You can even catch The Red Roper's shoutout from Luke of the 2 Live Crew in the song "Raise the Roof." During that time, we brought some of today's most famous artists to Fayetteville. 

In 2002, I hosted my first Black History Quiz Bowl, an event that provided students from Fayetteville and surrounding cities the opportunity to learn and showcase their knowledge while competing for cash and prizes.

By 2004, I found myself as a single father raising my daughter and felt inspired to launch GOTDAD, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for fathers and their families. Through GOTDAD, I continued to host the annual Black History Quiz Bowl along with other impactful community events.

In February 2013, the Fayetteville Observer (Saturday Extra) did a cover story on the future and new direction of the black history quiz bowl. (Cover page | Page 1 | Page 2) 

In February 2016, The Fayetteville Observer (Saturday Extra) did a full-page story on the addition of our new subject categories: Business, Economics, Political, and Civic facts. (Fayetteville Observer article)

The Black History Quiz Bowl became a yearly community event and received recognition from Fayetteville mayors, the NC governor, and consistent community news coverage from the Fayetteville Observer. The greatest joy of the quiz bowl was kids saying, "They still remember black history facts they learned from participating." 

“Ride 2 Freedom” made history:
In February 2011, I organized the "Ride to Freedom" convoy. Following the Black History Quiz Bowl, we recognized African-American veterans with an escorted convoy to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, courtesy of The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office motorcade. The following February (2012), to commemorate and celebrate the returning soldiers from the "War on Iraq," we made the convoy inclusive.

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show took notice of this act of inclusivity. The "Ride 2 Freedom" convoy made national news and history, as Fayetteville became the second city in America to honor the soldiers with a homecoming. (Rachel Maddow clip)

That year, President Obama publicly commended Fayetteville, North Carolina for its valiant initiative to honor American soldiers.

Special appreciation to Sheriff Ennis W. Wright and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for their years of escorting "Ride 2 Freedom" convoys.

Follow my Journey:
Take a moment to read articles of my community events spanning over 30 years. And to think, I am just getting started.

Sincerly,
Joe McGee