Spotlight on J. Sakiya Sandifer

By: Kimberly Wilson

Sakiya Sandifer is a blend of motivational speaker and influential thinker mixed together, offering words of wisdom to anyone who will listen. His first book titled “Think Think Think and Think Again“, a short book of “saKiya-isms”, is a collection of his unique ideas designed to be a spark for those seeking to create a positive change in their lives. In November 2006, Kanye West called on him to co-write their current book entitled “Thank You And You’re Welcome“- “the creative, humorous and insightful philosophies and anecdotes used in creating Kanye’s path to success.” Sakiya’s upcoming speaking tour “Thinking Like an Entrepreneur Changed My Life” sparks much needed interest and his sole goal is to inspire others. The tour hopes to hope to inspire people, giving to people by sparking their creative minds. The Evil Collector gets up close and personal with Sandifer as he provides insight on his journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

THE EVIL COLLECTOR: When I was reading your bio and I found it interesting you started designing fliers for your fraternity—Phi Beta Sigma while you were in school. At Wisconsin, did you ever imagine that you would be where you are now? Co-authoring a book with international superstar Kanye West?

J. SAKIYA SANDIFER: I didn’t imagine me being where I am, I never defined the success. But I knew I would be something big. Even though that was my intent, it’s still surreal to me. My daughters, sometimes when they call me daddy I’m still like, “Wow, they’re talking to me.” I’m very honored by it. Wow, people are really embracing it. Even when I came up with the idea, how incredibly dope for that to actually.

TEC: How did the opportunity come about to work with Kanye West for “Thank You and Your Welcome.”

JSS: That opportunity –we had an association between family members in Chicago. It just so happened we both moved out to NJ independently within 3 months of each other. About 4 years ago I had this premonition that I was going to be in front of people. I wanted Kanye to write my forward. When he read my book, it really inspired him to write a book. It was October 2006 and by November he called me up and asked me if I wanted to help him write his book.

TEC: We Think, LLC was launched in March 2006—what are the components of the company?

JSS: What I wanted to do, I wanted to transition out of design and marketing company. Clients found more value in my idea then in my design. I wanted to come up with a company that really –my thoughts. It happened that we went into company, creative business, consulting, and publishing. I would assist clients, but nothing that I didn’t co-author. I’m noticing a lot of people; a lot of people have a book in them. There is a value of going through a traditional publisher. I’m about to take on a client now, to help her get it published. It’s not about do it the way that I did.

TEC: What books do you like to read?

JSS: Honestly, I don’t read much. Non reader-life inspires me. That’s what I write about. Life how I see it—recording my thoughts on paper. Think think think and think again were past conversations I had that incorporated real life situations:

TEC: Tell me about your THINKING (like an entrepreneur) CHANGED MY LIFE speaking tour. Do you think you will incorporate President Elect Barack Obama’s success into this tour?

JSS: Yes, an entrepreneur someone who recognizes an entrepreneur and exploits it. What I want –belief that they can get what they want out of life. It would be against total message if I did not include Obama in my feature. I was just in a conversation yesterday about Kanye—a lot of principles Obama defined in his life, we defined in our life. Oh, you don’t think I can, let me show you how. I love it. Socrates, to Jay Z in my Q&A’s. I love studying successful.

TEC: Now did the tour start already?

JSS: No, the kickoff will be on Martin Luther King Day—I want to; I really want to embody the principles of Thank You and Your Welcome. Whole movement is based on economic empowerment—the economic component. Pick 10 cities and combine yourself with 10 local nonprofit organizations. Tired of dinner, luncheon fundraisers that are just boring. A paradigm then a warm male. By attaching it as a fundraising should be able to raise per organization $100,000. Thank you for coming out and tonight’s performance has generate “x” amount of dollars. The 2 cities interested so far are Philly, and Jersey City. I want to go to NY, DC, Philly, Charlotte, ATL, Chicago, Houston, LA, Oakland and possibly Miami. Each point will be staging and group session. Where you see up to 12 people at a time. See your process and helping them make it better. Not just if you’re in business, if you haven’t figured out what yet.

TEC: Like a series of self help workshops?

JSS: Kind of like self-help workshops. A lot of people have ideas; more people are not doing what they want to do in life. Do the same thing that I would do with clients, and take them through the same process and make their idea better. Regardless of what it is. Principles apply to whatever you want to do in life. Never want to talk about anything that’s not practical. Keep your head to the sky—to general.

TEC: Now the 1st book was. Think Think Think and Think Again—how did you conceptualize this idea?

JSS: I just sat down and used all skill sets and I knew how to put a book together. I just had to think about what was going to be my book. Throughout my life people have always took great stock in my ideas—philosophies “voice of reason” Drew on past conversations and wrote. Since I had some marketing background I knew what I needed to.

TEC: Who did the design for both books?

JSS: Yes, “Thank you”…that was definitely a joint with Kanye and I. He was definitely hands on as well.

TEC: Are you a Hip Hop fan?

JSS: I don’t plan on ever becoming a rapper or anything like that. But, I am hip hop. It’s enough for me to include like a Jay Z for a point of reference. The thing about me, I’m what people have described as a multitalented person. Sometimes I feel like it’s disrespectful for the people that actually do it. Only things I believe are the things I really can’t do. Hip hop is me; it’s a part of my performance. I have a music/melody transition.

TEC: What other projects are in the works?

JSS: In 5 years as one of the most influential thinkers of this generation. That’s what I do, everything that I’m doing right now. These thoughts are just a sense of normalcy for me. My name will be mentioned with Beuter. Everybody before me, or even during me. Obama is another example of intellect with confidence. Everybody we’re studying is the people who put themselves in the position to be judged—we’ve been conditioned to give up our power. People have been saying “NOW, I can tell my kids that they can be anything.” You should have been doing that anyway.

Go to thinkmovement.com for more details on J. Sakiya Sandifer.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 at 2:57 am and is filed under Interview. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.