Meet Qn. Everlena Brown de Thiam | Executive Director & Media Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Qn. Everlena Brown de Thiam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Qn. Everlena, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
From a very young age I knew I wanted to make an impact And regardless of how creatively talented I was or intelligently gifted I was … something was limiting me. As I got older I begin to understand the effects of systemic racism on my perception of reality and progress. Rather than bathe in my historical misfortune, I would create a business to disrupt my inheritance.

What should our readers know about your business?
On Feb 3, 2011, KCAMP headlined a concert for DREAMin on Trinity Ave to benefit Make-A-Wish GA. He not only performed, but made the first DONATION to support QEB cause.

“While battling breast cancer, my stepmother told me to never stop dreaming. What better way to honor her memory than granting the wishes of children with similar conditions.” says QEB. She was first introduced to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in South Florida by celebrity photographer, Douglas Lance. QEB ends, “Our coverage attracted more supporters and media to their events. Thus, this was the first form of AWARENESS that I got involved in. Now, I want to do more!”

Former programs & fundraising chair for Akon’s Konfidence Foundation, after the event she immediately referred KCamp to Bu Thiam, Akon’s brother and newly appointed VP of A&R for Def Jam (Universal) at the time. Later that year, JR, a protege of Bu Thiam begin managing KCamp. In the meantime, QEB continued to book interviews with KCamp for every radio station where she worked. Three years later KCamp was signed to Interscope (Universal). It pays to support a worthy cause, because you never know who might find you a worthy cause because of it.

“Entertainment is a tough business, and I really wanted to quit. But when I heard KCAMP got signed, I knew my small gestures didn’t go unnoticed. I had recently left Konfidence Foundation, but still texted Bu for 2 weeks to check out KCamp’s music. I never knew if my messages got through, until his mother, Shauna Hervey, ended a phone conversation with me to talk to JR. I never told her what I had did, and it was a time where she wanted me to be more involved. But, I had to let go and let GOD if I wanted her son to truly succeed. When he got signed, I knew my faith and charitable work was not in vain. Instead of giving up, I officially launched a non-profit” – QEB

QEB Foundation promotes literacy in Education, Finance, and Technology. Founded in 2014, our 501c3 is the parent charity to WQEB 97.3 Radio Cafe & FAB Bank. CAFE stands for Community Alliance for Empowerment, home to the Federation of American Black, Indigenous, People of Color (FAB). We produce events for special occasions (i.e. birthdays, showers, holidays), concepts (i.e. album releases, product launch, meet & greets), education (i.e. classes, seminars, lectures), and media (radio, television, film) to support our human service programs for those in need; like a shelter, haircuts, makeovers, clothes, counseling, etc. The foundation believes these individuals are destined to repeat their current socio-economic status without the proper tools to change their family tree. Therefore, the foundation uses events to empower those in need with the resources necessary to transform a generation. Popularized only TikTok, our #CAFE✊🏾NOW movement is operating in 14 cities and counting!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlantic Station is my go-to spot for any milestone in my life. It is the one place place in Atlanta that reminds me of Miami. It was also the first place I visited when Akon’s mom relocated me here. It had several top chef restaurants with Yard House being my favorite. Although a little pricey, Regal Cinema is in waking distance. You could shop or chill in the park while you waiting for your movie to start. No trip is complete without pralines & cream in a waffle bowl from Kilwins.

Other daytime adventures would include the High Museum, Peters St, and Little 5 Points. As far as nightlife, Eleven45 has given me the best service from food to drinks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
“MisEducation of the Negro” by Carter G Woodson changed my life. It was one of several books for required reading in the Black History & Cultural Brain Bowl in highschool. Winners received a full scholarship to any state college in Florida. But I wasn’t motivated by self-knowledge but rather competition. I was tired of losing debates with a non-black peer about the black experience. I had a new sense of self and enough ammunition to annihilate any racist conclusion of the black experience,

Website: qebvlog.tv

Instagram: Instagram.com/qneverlena

Other: TikTok.com/@qebfoundation2