IMU Exclusive: With Nathan Smalls The Black Excellence Festival Producer

Excellence- “Possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good. Extraordinary; Superior.”

Atlantic City, New Jersey, Showboat Hotel & Casino: The Showboat in AC is the only place you want to be on June 18th & 19th it’s going to be an absolute movie. The Black Excellence Festival is going down on Juneteenth/Fathers Day weekend, this is going to be one for the culture, you’re going to be disappointed you missed this if you do. Just to give you a taste before we get into the details this weekend experience comedy shows, amazing food, Sugar Hill Gang, Rucker Park Basketball, largest arcade on the east coast, family-friendly environment, trust me when I tell you that’s not all.

IMU Chopped It Up With Nathan Smalls

Setting up an event of this magnitude is a heck of an achievement to do it during a pandemic is a pretty incredible feat, now factor in New Jersey is open fully, I mean talk about perfect timing. Relesticly let’s talk about hard work, faith, dedication, a generous heart, and proper preparation. We at IMU Media got to spend a few afternoons and evenings with Mr. Smalls learning from one of the great brains in the industry. A man with a skill set so vast he can run his girls’ campaign as she runs for Member of the Council at large, he can coordinate things coast to coast, and set up the largest African American Festival in the Country!

The team and I learned so much in those hours spent alongside Nate as he prepped for the event. We got to see the exclusive Kobe Bryant jersey that’s debuting this weekend, we overheard how a man with clear purpose handles business on the phone, visually saw all the hours he and his team put in making flyers, appeal, etc. we got to witness Nathan’s excitement go to 100 when Atlantic Care partnered up, and we learned about all the leg work that was a year in the making that is culminating this weekend. It was so refreshing to hear from and feel the energy from a man who’s following his heart. There is something uniquely special about purity and genuineness.

Commish: How do you manage it all Mr. Smalls

Nate Smalls: You can’t rush things you have to be patient and have faith.

Commish: What were some of the challenges trying to put on a festival during a pandemic?

Nate Smalls: One of the most difficult situations we ran into was the fact that until a few days ago we didn’t know the ShowBoat would be at basically full capacity. If we had that information earlier we could have done a few things differently. We have the contract for 22,23, and 24 so each year it’s just gonna get bigger and better.

Commish: What’s one piece of advice you would give someone in your shoes?

Nate Smalls: To not think too much, If you stop for a second to pop your head up for air, you could start getting too much in your head.

“Don’t chase bad money.”

“I don’t cash checks, I write them.”

“I don’t build cars, I build bridges, everybody pays.”

– Nathan Smalls Quota-bales AKA Bars

Nathan Smalls Talks With Tyra Hill Plus Show Details

Tyra Hill recently sat down with Nathan Smalls for a pre-event interview and the energy was off the hook. Please IMUer’s watch the video above for laughs, details, and an exclusive opportunity to win All-Access Passes! Be sure to get your tickets at thebefestival.com

The Showboat Casino & Atlantic City Is Preparing For The Largest African American Festival Juneteenth & Fathers Day Weekend. It Will BE Epic! Celebrity Rucker Basketball Game, Comedy Show, COVID Vaccine Clinic, Vendors, All White Party With A Splash Of COLOR, Conversations & Discussions, Hip Hop Icons such as MELE MEL & Scorpio From Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5, The Sugar Hill Gang. It’s The SHOWDOWN! (Credit: Tyra Hill)

The BE Main Events

Swipe to right to see all the events going down Friday and Saturday

BE Festival Pre Party Pics

IMUer’s we will make sure to bring you all the exclusive content after this weekend as we will be covering the event. Be sure to leave us your feedback in the comments section and be sure to subscribe in the top right corner so you don’t miss anything.

Source: Thebefestival.com

Video: Tyra Hill

Cover Photo: Nathan Smalls

Photos: Nathan Smalls