MADE Magazine March / April Issue Commemorative Issue | Page 5

P U B L I SH E R’ S L E TTE R

Crown Yourself.
Don’t wait on others to award you for your
achievements. The gift is in your greatness.
– Kris D. Williams
Life is made up of numerous awards and
forms of recognition. From school diplomas to
professional certificates, we are trained to be
recognized for our progress in our educational,
professional and personal lives.
We, millennials strive to get on somebody’s ‘30
Under 30 List’ by the time we’re 28. I can admit
that my inner drive is energized each time
Drake‘s “Trophies” comes on.
Competition is good. I like competition which
is why MADE Magazine spearheaded our
first annual Impact List Awards to celebrate
millennials of color who are achieving in the
Arts, Entertainment, Philanthropy, Education,
Religion and Politics.
Marcus Noel, a 2016 Impact List Awardee,

said, “The small wins are necessary to remind
you of why you are doing what you are doing.”
Awards can serve as the flame that reignites
someone’s passion or the nudge someone else
needed to be reminded to keep going. The one
thing that we neglect to mention regarding
competition however is that it’s a little unfair.
We are competing with a peer group in which
no one is alike. It’s like comparing apples to
oranges. Once we realize the fact that we are
a unique, special being who is here to serve a
specific purpose, we begin to understand that
we’ve already won.
We are already great. Understanding our
greatness is the difference between those who
are successful and those who never tap into
their potential. Know that you are great. Know
that you are royalty.

The crown becomes yours when
you look up to see it’s already on
your head.

With Love,
Kris D. Williams

5