In our life we are blessed by people that inspire us to be more than we had ever imagined for ourselves. The everyday hero does not wear a cape, shoot webs, or save the universe from imminent danger. These are the people who touch our hearts with a smile, who give their lives to their passionate purpose, who serve other’s because they are called. My everyday hero is my younger and only brother, Andre Lawhorn. Today, he’s achieved the great success in the US Army Reserve of ascending to the rank of Sergeant Major. This is no small feat. After wars and deployments that keep us waiting for his return, Andre has stayed committed to a dream that been a part of him since we were kids. My brother used to wait up for me when I went out as a teenager just to make sure I got home ok. I knew then that his love and dedication to wife, family, and country is unwavering. In the age of internet muscles and bravado he still believes in a hand shake and one’s word, which is rare. Some would call it an old school approach to dealing with life, but I honor Andre’s principles and values. He’s my everyday hero for remaining true to himself, gaining respect through action, and treating others with dignity. Congratulations, Sergeant Major Andre Lawhorn, we salute you.
As I reflect on this wedding season, Charizma Entertainment has and will always support the bonds of love that compel the desire to marry. This past June I’ve had the privilege to do my first, and I hope of many same sex weddings. Congratulations to Katie and Jen, our lovely brides, who in the midst of planning their wedding were also working on their doctorates. Seeing my ladies laugh and cry in the ceremony and dance the night away at the beautiful Morton Arboretum made my heart explode with pure joy. You see people are people and love has no boundaries.
Terry and Steve had a whole show planned in a different way at Mayne Stage, from the introductions to the exchanging of the vowels “AEI OU,” they shared their video montages of the marriage at the Skokie court house and a snapshot of their life as a couple. What blew me away was how Terry and Steve shared the journey of the relationship as if you had a front row seat. Their family and friends in attendance felt the love as they acknowledged every couple that were in the room. As friends and family toasted the guys it was clear again that love is love.
I recently emceed a wedding reception in Cleveland for my good friends at Rock the House Entertainment. The marketing director, Nick Duve, is a friend and colleague in our industry. I was with him when the news went viral on June 26, 2015, that the Supreme court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Words can not touch the intensity of his feelings that day. What I do know is that it’s finally permitted for him to marry the man he loves. Nick’s words are real and I share this with you and hope you can grasp the magnitude that this decision means for a group of people who have waited for this a long long time.
Congratulations to all who are now able to marry the love of their life. I would be honored to be a part of your love story.
Charizma Entertainment is proud to welcome Arianna to the Charizma Family! Ari is an extremely talented emcee and choreographer born and raised in Chicago. She has been doing parties for us as a dancer since she was 19 years old, so theres nobody that knows how to rock a party better than her!
We are so very excited to have this unique and charismatic individual on our team, and we know if you ever get a chance to meet her, you will not be disappointed. Please inquire about booking Arianna on your next party, but only if you want pure fun and excitement! We know you have a choice when it comes to entertainment, and as always, we thank you for choosing our family here at Charizma!
In the coming weeks I look forward to sharing my thoughts, photos, and insights on the industry, people, and the things that I love. I am an interactive emcee, DJ, and dancer with over twenty years of experience in the DJ entertainment industry. I was discovered by the late, great Walter Payton in Chicago nightclubs as a raw talent in the late 80’s. After honing my craft for six years in the nightclub industry, I made my transition to become a respected and known name in the social and corporate events market. Now, twenty years later, having the knowledge of what effect an emcee/DJ can have on an event has come full-circle for me: being a husband and father and understanding how precious the moments are with the ones we love, and what they mean to us, gives me an HD perspective of what it is to be in the moment.