By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2021
When it comes to creativity, some folks get creative, like driving fast within a lane. Others get creative driving fast down a 6-lane highway on the Autobahn, and they keep it moving fast, too. CC Minton is one of those people who runs hard and fast as the Founder of CC Minton’s I Love Beautiful Spaces. She is an award-winning lifestyle advocate, social impact-executive turned real estate pro and, oh yeah, she is also a book author. This former housewife that I profiled before, has secured a portfolio of homes, investment properties and recently purchased land in the hot Southwest Dallas market. As a celebrity interviewer, she has conducted interviews all over the New York, New Jersey Metropolitan area, sometimes on site and at other times from the comfort of her beautiful self-renovated 1889 historic Newark office studio. In general, she stays true to her mission of spending her time in beautiful spaces, beautiful places and with beautiful people. See CC Minton: Loving Beautiful Spaces And Making A Difference While Creatively Living Life.
Chase Bank, 55 West 125th Street, on November 4, 2021
This time, she happily traveled into Harlem, New York to a beautiful place to conduct an interview at a building that was chosen by former U.S. President William J. Clinton to house his personal offices after leaving the White House, in February 2001. Nowadays, the building houses various high-profile office and retail tenants, including The Clinton Foundation, and one of those high profile tenants is JP Morgan Chase Bank. CC Minton seems to be connected to the White House in more ways than some.
Her interview, as she found out, was with a well known, very creative, also fast moving multifaceted and beautiful person, Kevin Hart. Kevin Hart has won numerous awards like the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Actor, 2016, the Hollywood Award for Artist of the year in 2014, the 2012 BET Award for best actor (IMDB) amongst many other awards. And here, I am watching Kevin Hart in his latest Netflix series “True Story,” a seven-episode thriller starring Hart as a celebrity who is racing to cover up a death he may or may not be responsible for because of his brother Wesley Snipes.
Needless to say, Kevin is widely known as a Comedian and Actor, but he is also an Entrepreneur and Investor. The Financial Health and Leadership Forum: Hart of It All chat event is a part of the JP Morgan Chase Advancing Black Pathways initiative. Kevin was there to share his financial tips and information surrounding his key message: Financial Knowledge.
Being selected by Harlem World Magazine, which has over 2.5 million influential fans around the world, to interview such a huge Hollywood personality is obviously a huge honor. We caught up with CC Minton and asked her how she felt about interviewing such a big celebrity.
1. Who contacted you to conduct the Kevin Hart interview?
Danny Tisdale, the Founder of Harlem World Magazine, contacted me regarding the Kevin Hart interview. I worked with Harlem World Magazine for a number of years. I had the position as an event ambassador, lifestyle editor and curated the Healthy Lifestyle initiative. We have a great relationship, so from time to time I handle special events and high-profile projects for them.
2. Did you do any type of preparation for the interview?
Absolutely! I did extensive research on Kevin Hart and the JP Morgan Chase Advancing Black Pathways initiative. I used articles and other conversations to get a feel for Kevin's financial experiences and his desire to give back. With a better understanding of Kevin and JP Morgan Chase, I was extremely excited about the interview and the event. Through the partnership and on their own, both are doing great things in the community. As a servant leader, I currently serve on the Board of Governance with the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. and I am a trustee with Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park and the residence of Glenmont. I totally identify with supporting the community.
3. What did you like or find interesting about meeting a celebrity like Kevin Hart?
I've met and interviewed a number of celebrities and public figures. I knew it would be a little different because I've never had a conversation with a comedian so I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought to myself, God, what if he starts making jokes about me....ha ha ha, I'm just kidding. I felt comfortable being a little silly during the event and, of course, he was really funny.
I enjoyed meeting Kevin because he was authentic, down to earth, had a plan for himself that increased his net worth tremendously, and he didn't mind sharing. Of course, he was funny but his jokes were on a totally different level. In my prior interviews with Judge Mathis, Olympian Kristi Castlin, Chef Carla Hall, and Melvin Van Peebles, they were funny, too, but not like Kevin. Kevin's journey from his hometown of Philly to becoming the highest-paid comedian to entrepreneur to an investor is even more impressive to me.
4. Kevin Hart is one of the highest-paid comedians in the world. Aside from his celebrity, is there any commonality between his investor story and why you founded I Love Beautiful Spaces?
Yes, absolutely! I believe that by investing in real estate, you know where your money is. As Kevin says, "It's in the ground." The last time I checked, land is no longer being created so therefore land and what is built on it is like a commodity. He is spreading the message about building wealth with real estate on a larger scale. For me, I love spreading the same message to everyday people like me and you. I believe that everyone deserves to own real estate and that lifestyle begins at home.
5. What's your takeaway from Kevin's talk about finances?
Kevin shared his recipe for success and I believe it is a simple model to follow. Make sure you pay your taxes first. Invest and live on the rest. I believe his strategy not only works for celebrities, entertainers, or high-income earners. We live in a gig economy, so his words of wisdom can be applied to many other, too, including those with a side hustle.
6. Why do you believe that everyone deserves to own the real estate that they love?
Although I was a stay at home mom for many years, I have always been a free spirit and risk-taker. Due to a lifestyle change in status, I stepped out, downsized, and began creating a portfolio of my own. If I can do it, I believe that those who have the desire to do it can own the real estate that they love as well. It takes commitment and desire and taking some risks. I love sharing my experiences and knowledge with men and women and, to be transparent, I love empowering others to do the same.
7. Do you have any future interviews planned?
I do, but I'm unable to discuss the details at this time. I'll be traveling for the next one, so stay tuned.
In reading the interview, I found this advice from Kevin Hart poignant for entrepreneurs and, of course, all artists about building their business and their brand:
“When you’re investing in something (like your art or your live music business), the goal is to bring value, to raise awareness within a brand, and get the brand to a point where it is not only profitable but on the bigger stages around the globe.”
Read the full CC Minton Interview here on Harlem World Magazine and don’t forget to leave a comment.
About CC Minton
CC Minton is the Founder of I Love Beautiful Spaces. She is an award-winning lifestyle advocate, celebrity interviewer, social impact exec turned real estate pro. She began her journey in the kitchen of her home and created a path that led her to one of the most beautiful homes – The White House. It’s where she covered Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House Kids’ State Dinner. CC is a member of the Board of Trustees at Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park and residence Glenmont and the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. Board of Governance.
About the Organizations Mentioned in This Interview
Advancing Black Pathways
JP Morgan Chase Advancing Black Pathways initiative provides a mentoring program for undergraduate students. Selected students have been paired with mentors that are 3-5 years out of college and are currently working in the fields of finance, business development, marketing, public relations, and human resources. Many of the mentors and mentees identify as BIPOC and first-generation.
Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc.
The Junior League of Montclair-Newark (JLMN), Inc. is a volunteer organization of women committed to Promoting Volunteerism, Developing the potential of women, and Improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. “Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League welcomes all women who value our Mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations and communities.”
Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park
The Friends of Edison National Historical Park and the residence of Glenmont are a passionate group of creative, historically-minded and innovative folks dedicated to keeping generations loving the legacy of Thomas Edison. “Together, we help raise funds to preserve artifacts in his West Orange National Park and share his ideas.”
About the Writer, Gregory Burrus
Gregory Burrus is a Passionate Community Advocate, Live Music Producer, Reporter, and Writer about local events and happenings In and Around Essex County, NJ. Showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and creative people as they occur around town while living life every day to the fullest.
My mission is to help people, live music bands and local nonprofits reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day to day process of life. Are you ready for your interview? Let’s connect! http://gregoryburrusproductions.com