“There is more to operating a business than opening your doors every day to provide a specific product or service and collecting money for services rendered,” points out Nate Mitchell owner of 720 Music, Clothing and Café in Lawrenceville. Putting his money where his mouth is, he and entrepreneur Jayson Council and Dr. Kwame Williams recently sponsored a “Happy Feet” Foot and Ankle Clinic at the Eva P. Mitchell Residence Senior Housing facility in the Lincoln-Lemington community.
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| FAMILY AND FRIENDS AFFAIR—Nate Mitchell, middle, is the glue that brought friends Jayson Council, right, and Dr. Kwame Williams to the Eva P. Mitchell Residence Center. Standing is his grandmother Phyllis Hull the daughter of Eva P. Mitchell, who the building is named after and his mother Frances Noel, daughter of Hull and granddaughter of Eva. (Photo by Diane I. Daniels)
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Residents of the low income housing apartment received minor wound care, minor nail procedures and trauma and Diabetic foot education. “This is great. We have happy feet,” exclaimed recipients of the services.
The trio, longtime friends, possess the belief that they as entrepreneurs and African-American males are obligated to give back.
“We are doing this because there is a need for our senior citizens to receive this type of care, to be made to feel special,” said Council, sponsor of the event. His organization, The Council Foundation is a non-profit group that promotes community based events structured to empower minorities.
Council, a former Penn Hills resident and a member of the first graduating class of Imani Christian Academy attended Virginia State University and received his Master’s Degree from Robert Morris University. In addition to operating his organization, which also administers scholarships to high achieving urban youth in Newark, N.J., he is the director of student services and college relations at Rutgers University. Since 2003 he and Mitchell have operated Caharismatic Marketing, a graphic design, marketing and promotions business.
Williams, also a Penn Hills native graduated from Shady Side Academy is licensed as a podiatric physician in Ohio and Pennsylvania. A member of northeastern Ohio’s largest podiatric medical practice, Ankle & Foot Care Centers, Williams earned a doctor of podiatric medicine degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland and his bachelor’s degree in biology from Brown University in Providence, R.I. Often found at the Butler Veterans Administration Hospital, Williams said contrary to what some people might think, “Guys our age are doing good works in the community that we want to be known for.”
Williams pointed out that the Eva P. Mitchell Residence Center was a great place to kick off their venture and perform the podiatric services because of the needs of the residents. “This place is named after Nate’s great grandmother and her daughter Phyllis Hull is a resident so there is a connection here.”
“My great grandmother was involved in service all her life,” said Mitchell. “She dedicated her life to helping others.”
A serial entrepreneur, Mitchell not only operates the business with Council, he is the owner of the Natural Choice Barber Shop and Natural Hair Salon and is known in the music world as DJ Nate Da Phat Barber. His newest business venture, 720 Music Clothing and Café recently celebrated its first year anniversary. He describes the 4405 Butler Street facility as a multi-purpose store with a unique concept that sells a lifestyle brand to its customers.
“We are evoking their pleasure senses by offering great tasting beverages and pastries, cool vibes and a distinct and diverse selection of music and clothing.” The store sells music, books, magazines, clothing and accessories, a variety of coffee and teas and light food. Weekly there is some type of entertainment and the facility is Wi-Fi.
Council, Williams and Mitchell share the philosophy that as entrepreneurs they have a responsibility to be philanthropic. As African-American males in their 30s they say they are well aware of their responsibilities to their families, society and the business world.
“We conducted the clinic in the senior facility as a way of saying thank you to those that have come before us and through my foundation we relish the opportunity to be able to provide scholarships to young people,” said Council. “We strive to reach all different ages and populations.”
Because of the success of the “Happy Feet” Foot and Ankle Clinic, Council said they have plans to conduct at least three more clinics this year using different physicians. Orthopedics may be the next topic scheduled for the April clinic.
Excited about giving back to the community Mitchell said, “The sky is the limit as to what we can and want to do. Our suggestion is to look out, because we are ready to do our part to assist in empowering the minority community.”
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