Amir Windom LIVE from the 2011 UNCF Empower Me Tour!

CAN... YOU.... FEELLLLLLLLL ITTTTTTTTT!!!! I definitely can. Im truly feeling EMPOWERED!!! Amir Windom here.... Some of you may know me from my Bad Boy days... Some may know me from Def Jam-Kanye West days... Some may recognize me from my Atlantic Records-T.I., B.o.B., Trey Songz, Lupe Fiasco Days... Those things don't matter right now... Right now what matters is the amazing things that are happening on the 2010-2011 UNCF Empower Me Tour. Having the pleasure of being a speaker on this year's tour has been a blessing and life changing.

For some reason... As I’ve reached a certain level in my career, people assume that I don't want to learn anymore or I know it all. Maybe because I do spend a great deal of time doing speaking engagements, giving artist and people my opinion on music, etc. Pretty much I'm in a teaching role a lot of times... But, where do you think I get all that knowledge from?? LEARNING AND LISTENING!!

Having the luxury to sit on panels and spend quality time with my fellow DOPE (my word for Great) panelists has been an educational and enjoyable experience…. Sitting on panels with brilliant people like my Big Brother Al-Migh-Tee, Warren "The Walking History and Relationship Book" Ballentine, Chef Das Smith showing you how to throw down in the kitchen, or Mo and Kita (Seriously two of the DOPEST women I've met in my 26 years of living) telling you how it is being a SUCCESSFUL BLACK WOMAN in Hollywood... It has truly been a learning experience for me...

Just because I'm sitting on the panel does not mean I have it all figured out. I will always be a student of life and my fellow panelist and tour participants truly have become professors, sister and brothers and life coaches to me. I can only imagine what great impact they're having on the attendees. As I’m sitting on these panels EMPOWERING… you’ll also see me on my phone, jotting down golden nuggets that are coming out of my fellow panelists mouth… As they’re speaking and saying things… All I keep hearing in my head is “MESSAGE”… And I write it down.

We've been to about 5 cities now and at every stop... It gets better and better and better. I've spoken on many tours before, but I can honestly say... The Empower Me Tour has by far been the best one as far as ACCOMPLISHING AND EXECUTING THE MISSION. The tour organizers did a great job of getting speakers who just weren't just coming to talk about their life and their accomplishments. They got individuals who truly are interested in Empowering and Uplifting communities across the country.

Whether your age is 12, 24, 36 or 48... This tour can truly EMPOWER you... Whether you're coming to see the beautiful but shy Tatyana Ali.. Oops... Dont know if I was suppose to reveal she was shy.. But come, because I guarantee by the time you leave, you will realize she's more than just a beautiful face and good actress. She has a brilliant mind... (Hence why my childhood crush has turned into and adult crush…haha)

And ladies... Whether you're just coming to see your childhood or current crush in my Big Bro Malik Yoba... BRING IT ON.... I’m sure you’ve never seen in person the educated, talented, philosophical wise side of Mr. Yoba..... After seeing this side of him, your crush may turn into stalker tendencies... haha.

You can spend some one on one time getting your professional and personal life together with Trent Daniels, Chris Cooper and Craig Stokes.

The incomparable, outspoken, “Don’t say a word or you’ll miss something” Voice of Black America, Jeff Johnson has graced his presence on the tour as well. Jeff Johnson = EMPOWERMENT

And who knows... Ledisi might bless us all and BUST A COUPLE OF NOTES after she EMPOWERS you...

A round of applause for the tour organizers, sponsors who has made this tour possible, everyone who attended our previous stops and everyone that's going to attend the remaining stops!

Long story short... If you're looking to be EMPOWERED, ENTERTAINED, EMPOWERED some more and simply be a part of something great. WAKE UP!! IT'S HERE... THE 2011 UNCF EMPOWER ME TOUR! I AM EMPOWERED!!! ARE YOU?

-Amir Windom
A Music Executive, A Student of Life, A Philomath, An EMPOWER-ER, An EMPOWER-EE, A 2011 UNCF Empower Me Tour Speaker

Twitter: @awindom
Facebook: Amir Windom

The UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour Rolls Through Greensboro to N.C. A&T

The Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University welcomed the tour to their beautiful campus for another day of fun, learning and enlightening discussion.

We welcomed our newest partner to the tour, the U.S. Army, and they did it big! From the massive games they had outside of the venue to their impressive exhibits inside the Tour Zone, there was no mistaking that the U.S. Army was in the house. The men and women of the Army definitely represented and let students know about the many opportunities that exist, many that they would not have associated with the military.

Chef DAS had the Student Union feeling like a fine restaurant during his cooking demo... the aroma drew people in and almost caused him to get rushed but he had plenty of samples for the crowd. Of course, the point of the whole demo was to share tips on healthy cooking which he gave the large audience... that certainly made our partner American Cancer Society happy.

We had workshops and panel discussions with N.C. A&T alums Warren Ballentine and Craig Stokes which definitely pumped up the Aggie pride. We had a nice twist when the Girl Talk panel was combined with the Ties vs Timbs panel so the audience was mixed and the guys and the girls got to hear both perspectives... it was an interesting blend to say the least.

As always, the day ended with our celebrity panel and "meet and greet"... everyone is always so cool so it's great for the students to interact with people they have only seen on the screen.

It was another successful day and we're back on the road...