SNUBB3D MAGAZINE PRESENTS, THE SITDOWN LIVE: PANEL EDITION

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I didn’t entirely know what to expect walking into the building that night. I was cordially greeted, marked off the guest list, and told to wait in the lobby until the doors opened. (I arrived around 7:00, and there were only a few people scattered about, some couples, some solo.) By 7:20, the doors opened and we filed in. The setup was intimate: DJ Magik Mic spinning at the entrance, rows of limited seating, the panel chairs lined up.

Toward the back, a self- photo booth by Vivid Vision. (It snapped four photos, printed a QR code, and let you download them instantly.) People loved it, posing, laughing, getting creative. Beyond that was the food and drinks table stocked with fruits, meats, cheeses, and spirits. A red carpet and step-and-repeat gave the night its official shine. The room itself was bathed in a cool blue hue. Intentional or not, it created a calm, inviting vibe perfect for mingling.

A few days later, as I reflect, I can’t overstate how inspirational the evening was. The room wasn’t just full of talent. It was full of sincerity. Nothing felt counterfeit or superficial. Every response from the panelists carried weight. The audience was captivated, responding to each answer with applause, affirmations, and even words of comfort. Sometimes they celebrated, sometimes they consoled, but they were always actively involved. It wasn’t just a panel discussion; it was a shared experience.

To understand the depth of the night, you have to know the roots. The Sitdown is Snubb3d Magazine’s official interview format, created by editor-in-chief Levar Kemp. Traditionally, it’s not an “interview” so much as a conversation. One where Levar gives his guests flowers, allows them to introduce themselves, while keeping the conversation flowing. Over time, he’s hosted names like the late Angie Stone, Tito Jackson, Kenny Lattimore, Vivian Green, and many more.

This night, though, was different. This was The Sitdown: Live Panel Edition. Instead of Levar guiding the conversation, two moderators, Pep Talk Tae, (TV show host and radio personality), and Jeroslyn Jovonn, (writer and host at Black Enterprise) posed the questions. Levar, joined by Kron Moore (Tyler Perry’s The Oval), Pierre V. Johnson (BET’s Divorced Sistas & Ruthless), Maurice P. Kerry (Beyond The Gates & Law & Order), celebrity creative director Chanan Kennedy, and Billboard chart-topping singer-songwriter J. Brown, stepped into the role of panelist. That shift gave the night its spark. Instead of one person’s story, we heard a chorus of voices, layered and broadcast in real time.

The Conversations

I hadn’t picked up on the unspoken “seat first, mingle after” memo. (I mean, the email mentioned limited seating, not a game of musical chairs. People didn’t want to get out of those seats once they sat down.) So I stood the entire time. Honestly, it didn’t matter. The panel kept my attention, and standing gave me a vantage point to watch how the night unfolded. Pep Talk Tae, despite her best efforts, couldn’t get the crowd to mix and mingle right away, so the show kicked off with her introducing the panelists one by one. True to form, her introduction was jubilant and informative, the kind of opening she has become known for. Hosting with her signature charm, she filled the room with infectious energy. Pep Talk Tae doesn’t just command a room; she elevates it. With her at the helm, it’s never just get a conversation. It’s an experience.

Once the introductions were complete, the real magic began: The Sitdown. Each question pulled back another layer of the panelists, and together their answers formed a mix of vulnerability, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

KRON MOORE

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Kron’s answers carried the weight of lived experience. She spoke with a mix of vulnerability and strength, often drawing from deeply personal moments to remind us that inspiration comes from family, faith, and knowing your “yes” will come in due time. Her reflections weren’t just about acting but also resilience.

How do you stay inspired when life feels heavy?
For Kron Moore, inspiration is rooted in family. She recalled stepping away from acting to care for her mother, and how that shift actually changed everything. When she returned, she booked roles without the desperation she once carried. “What I need is for my family to be okay. What I need is for me to be intact,” she said. For her, it’s not about money. It’s about the opportunity to provide, to inspire, and to share her message. Her husband, her mother, her support system remain her anchors: “Whatever blessings I receive, I want to pay forward.”

How has networking shaped your career, and how did you define your brand?
This answer began with honesty. After more than 20 years in the business, she admitted networking has never come easily: “I’m very shy, very introverted. I have anxiety, so it doesn’t come as second nature the way it might for someone more extroverted.” Recently, with the help of her team, she’s been working to rebrand herself. Breaking out of typecasting and building a clearer vision of who she is as an actor. “Sometimes it takes people who can see what you can’t see in yourself. It takes courage to put yourself out there, to ask for help. But that’s what it takes to grow.”

How do you handle rejection and keep going after so many no’s?
“I’ve quit so many times. But here’s the thing: you take your moment, you cry it out, and then you get up the next day. Or the day after that. Just don’t stay down.” She reminded the crowd that auditioning itself is the job: “One yes can change everything. You have to believe it, and you have to put the right energy out into the universe. Don’t covet somebody else’s blessing. what’s for you is for you.

Pierre V. Johnson

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Pierre brought a calm, grounded wisdom to the panel. His responses were encouraging, almost mentor-like, always circling back to faith, timing, and trusting that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by. His style was less about flash and more about steady reassurance.

How do you stay inspired when life feels heavy?
“If you’re faced with no’s, just know that one yes can change all of it,” he told the crowd. What’s meant for you will never miss you. “Depression is real, but it doesn’t have to get in you. That audition wasn’t for you. Something better is coming. And you don’t want somebody else’s blessing, because you wouldn’t know how to take care of it.”

How has networking shaped your career, and how did you define your brand?
“You don’t know everything. But that person you’re connecting with might have the answer to a problem you’re facing. We’re all here together. It’s not just about me, it’s not just about you, it’s about us.” To him, networking is part of mutual growth, while branding is a daily act of reinvention: “I don’t want to be the same person I was yesterday. I rebrand myself every day.”

How do you handle rejection and keep going after so many no’s?
“She just took my answer,” he joked, before expanding. “What’s for you is for you. You don’t learn how to walk without falling first. You trip, you fall, then you get up and find your balance. That’s the journey. Don’t let the no get inside you. Just keep moving forward, knowing God’s got you. And know you’re worthy.”

Maurice P. Kerry

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Maurice’s words came unfiltered. He didn’t hold back from recounting hardship: trauma from birth, heartbreak, even war. Yet every scar, he flipped into strength. His need to “make everything make sense” revealed how he turns pain into purpose, all while still finding humor and hope in the process. By the end of the night, his blunt mantra “fuck it” had become a running theme, being referenced again and again during talks about chasing dreams, knowing your worth, and stepping into rooms you might feel unworthy of, anyway.

How do you stay inspired when life feels heavy?
For Maurice, inspiration is about making sense of every hardship. He shared how he was unwanted by his parents at birth, experienced homelessness, and endured heartbreak, but chose to turn those negatives into fuel. “All those things are tools in my toolbox,” he said. His guiding question: Is this going to kill me? If the answer is no, he pushes forward. Ultimately, his biggest motivation is his daughter. “It’s just been me and her for 15 years. She’s proud of me, and that keeps me going.”

How has networking shaped your career, and how did you define your brand?
He lends a personal story to drive the point home. He recalled dismissing a man he recognized from the gym who introduced himself as a producer. Months later, that same man, Cal Reese, became one of his most consistent collaborators, keeping him working through plays, films, and connections to other professionals. “I tell him all the time, I’m sorry I brushed you off. I didn’t know who I was talking to. That man changed everything for me.” For Kerry, the lesson is simple: you never know who you’re speaking to. On branding, he admitted it’s been a challenge in today’s social media landscape but stressed the importance of mentors and role models to emulate: “Don’t become stagnant. Stagnant water will make you sick. Stay fresh.”

How do you handle rejection and keep going after so many no’s?
Rejection is all about perspective for Maurice. “It’s a numbers game. You’ll get hundreds of no’s stacked on each other, but somebody’s got to say yes. At least one of y’all said yes to me, because I refused to admit defeat. At our base, we’re all human. So if I see someone on TV living my dream, I ask, why can’t I do it? I can. And I will. Even if nobody else believes it, I’m gonna do it anyway.”

Levar “Ramzie” Kemp

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As editor-in-chief of Snubb3d Magazine, Levar wore two hats that night. Panelist and visionary. His answers reflected not just personal drive, but also a bigger mission: lifting others, building community, and making sure the culture is represented and supported. He balanced introspection with practicality, always circling back to giving back.

How do you stay inspired when life feels heavy?
Levar Kemp admitted his start in modeling was rough. His first photos were so bad even family told him to quit. But rejection only strengthened his resolve. Inspired by his sister, who had also been in the industry, he decided to step back into those rooms and prove it was possible. “I just wanted to show anybody that I could do it,” he said. For him, inspiration means giving his all: “When I die, I want to be depleted. I want to leave this world knowing I gave everything I had.”

How has networking shaped your career, and how did you define your brand?
He also confessed to feeling anxious in rooms full of people: “I’m a homebody. After this, I’m putting on a hoodie and watching TV.” But he’s learned the importance of pushing past that fear, citing advice he received: make sure you know everybody in the room. Even the janitor. “Those are the people who may speak your name in rooms you’re not in,” he said. For him, branding means being a lifelong student, constantly observing and refining: “Whenever I walk into anybody’s space, I’m a student. I don’t care how small the event is. I study the details and then put my own swag on it.”

How do you handle rejection and keep going after so many no’s?
He added a different layer: “Don’t just stay comfortable in rooms where you already know you belong. Walk into bigger rooms, even if you feel like the bottom. That’s how you stretch yourself, that’s how you grow. Those no’s? They just mean you’re pushing into spaces you need to be in.”

Chanan Kennedy

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Chanan spoke with the perspective of a builder, someone who has built a business, a brand, and a vision. Her answers revealed the balance between creativity and structure, emphasizing the importance of finding your niche, honing your craft, and helping others avoid the pitfalls she’s already navigated.

How do you stay inspired when life feels heavy?
For Chanan, inspiration has shifted with time. Early on, success was about ambition and self-centered motives. Now it’s about community. “At this age, of course, it’s about my family, it’s about my people,” she said. She spoke about wanting to see Black entrepreneurs thrive, and the importance of giving back knowledge so others can avoid the pitfalls she faced. “It’s not enough to keep success for ourselves. We need to lift up the next person, give that education, and help each other win.”

How has networking shaped your career, and how did you define your brand?
Clarity, for her, came from trial and error. As a creative, she began with makeup, then ventured into fashion and weddings before finally narrowing her focus to beauty portraiture. That niche sharpened both her branding and her networking: “When people know exactly what you specialize in, they know how to refer you.” She emphasized that most of her company’s success has come through referrals, not paid marketing. “We became known as the ones who would meet people where they were, without shutting them off. It’s about knowing your brand and connecting with people who value it.”

How do you handle rejection and keep going after so many no’s?
Rejection teaches discernment. “Those no’s are for a reason. Every time I’ve gone against my better judgment and said yes to something I shouldn’t have, it became a headache. When you start to get more yeses, you also get to be more selective. So I lean into the no’s. They build character, and they guide you toward the rooms and opportunities that truly fit.”

J. Brown

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J. Brown kept it simple and heartfelt. Whether talking about rejection, music, or his career, everything tied back to his children. His answers reminded the audience that success is bigger than accolades. It’s about who you’re showing up for every day.

How do you stay inspired when life feels heavy?
He kept it straightforward: “My children are my primary driving force in this industry.” He described being an active father, present for his kids, and how their love motivates him to keep going through every no. “Music keeps me motivated, but my kids keep me going. At this point in my career, I can finally say I’ve arrived (in a sense) but they’re the reason I keep moving forward.”

How has networking shaped your career, and how did you define your brand?
Blunt about his discomfort, J. Brown says: “I don’t like networking. I wasn’t even gonna come here tonight.” On stage, he can perform for 20,000 without hesitation, but in small rooms, anxiety hits. Living in Atlanta, he’s noticed the cliquishness of certain circles: “Sometimes it feels like, ‘Who is he? Never heard of him.’ And I’m like, maybe I won’t go.” His publicist pushes him to show up regardless, reminding him that people need to put a face to the music. Still, he expressed frustration with the lack of support in the industry: “Why we hating each other all the time? Why can’t we uplift each other? There’s a lot of power in this room, but it’s useless if we’re not coming together.” For him, branding is tied to staying authentic in an era of manufactured sounds: “I feel like real R&B disappeared a long time ago. But I’m gonna keep representing for it.”

How do you handle rejection and keep going after so many no’s?
He closed the Q&A with honesty. “I know I’m talented, so sometimes I’m like, why wouldn’t they want me on this tour? And I’ve quit music a lot of times because of that. But for the last four years, God has shown me this is where I’m supposed to be. Still, you’ve got to give yourself credit too. It’s not just God, it’s you.” He shared how his friend October London nearly walked away from music to become a truck driver only to see his career take off right after. “That’s proof you just gotta keep going. Don’t let discouragement stop you. Believe in yourself, stay authentic, and keep moving forward. Timing is everything.”

Closing Reflections

The night closed with each panelist offering one last word of motivation:

Kron Moore: “If you’re passionate about it, follow it. That desire was not placed there for nothing.”

Pierre V. Johnson: “No dream is too big. Never stop dreaming.”

Maurice P. Kerry: “Be audacious. Learn the power of two words: fuck it.”

Levar Kemp: “Chase your dreams no matter what. Don’t let your bank account stop you.

Chanan Kennedy: “Don’t be afraid to pivot. Sometimes the path you think is yours isn’t what God has planned. Be open to change.”

J. Brown: “My kids keep me going. Whatever yours is, hold onto it. Keep moving forward.”

Before the crowd dispersed, Don “Bishop Don” Brumfield Jr., known from VH1 Black Ink Chicago, took a moment to ground the conversation in mental health. He spoke about the danger of losing yourself in other people’s expectations, the healing power of isolation, and the courage it takes to love your authentic self. His transparency was a reminder that success without peace isn’t success at all.

And then Pep Talk Tae closed the evening with warmth and conviction, reminding us that Snubb3d Magazine has always been about giving platforms to those overlooked elsewhere. Her energy tied the night together, lifting the audience one final time before sending us back into the night. To mix and mingle.