Meet James “Screal” Eberheart Jr. | Serial Entrepreneur & Visioneer

We had the good fortune of connecting with James “Screal” Eberheart Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James “Screal”, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my first legal business Hopz Mgmt LLC, was not just about entrepreneurship, it was a deeply personal journey that honored the memory of my best friend, Lamont “Hopz” Calhoun Jr., who was tragically murdered when we were both 20 years old. The thought process revolved around turning this loss into something positive, creating a legacy that reflected both our friendship and my shared desire to help others.

1. Honoring Lamont’s Memory: The foundation of my business stemmed from a desire to keep Lamont’s spirit alive. By naming the business ‘Hopz”, I wanted to pay homage to my friend’s nickname, ensuring that his memory would live on through my entrepreneurial endeavors.

2. Finding Purpose Through Tragedy: Losing Lamont was a pivotal moment that caused me to reevaluate my life’s purpose. I realized that I wanted to make a positive impact on others, inspired by the friendship and camaraderie I shared with Lamont.

3. Creating Hopz Mgmt LLC: My business is more than just a company; it is a vehicle for change and a representation of my commitment to helping others. From the beginning, I envisioned Hopz Mgmt LLC as a platform for supporting and uplifting people in my community.

4. Helping Other PeopleZ (HOPZ): The acronym for “HOPZ” symbolizes my mission to make a difference in people’s lives. It encapsulates my commitment to Helping Other PeopleZ, embodying the values of compassion, support, and community that were important to myself and Lamont.

5. Turning Tragedy into Triumph: Instead of letting Lamont’s death define me, which almost occured multiple times, in a negative way, I choose to turn tragedy into triumph. Hopz Mgmt LLC became a beacon of hope, demonstrating resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

6. Legacy and Impact: Through my business, I’m not only building a legacy for myself, but also making a lasting impact on the lives of others. Every success, every person helped through Hopz Mgmt LLC is a testament to not only my friendship with Lamont “HOPZ” Calhoun Jr. but also a shared vision to making our community a better place.

My journey from grief to entrepreneurship is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s ability to transform pain into purpose. Hopz Mgmt LLC is not just a business, it’s a living tribute to the friendship and values I hold dear.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Overcoming adversity, navigating legal challenges, and breaking through systemic barriers while being a prominent leader in the fast-growing pro-black organization and later transitioning into non-profit work is a testament to my resilience, determination, and commitment to making a difference.

Resilience and Determination: Despite facing legal challenges, including multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, I didn’t let these allegations define me. Instead I used them as opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen my resolve. This resilience allowed me to face adversity head-on and keep moving forward.

Proactive Legal Defense: When dealing with court trials, I engaged with proactive legal defense strategies. This included the national lawyers guild, understanding your rights, and cooperating with legal proceedings while maintaining my innocence. The ability to navigate the legal matters responsibly helped me navigate through professional challenges

Leadership In Pro-Black Organization: As a top leader in the fastest-growing pro-black organization in the country, I leveraged my position to inspire and empower others. My leadership skills and advocacy for black empowerment with the organization not only contributed to its growth but also served as a beacon of hope and representation for black communities nationwide.

Transition to Non-Profit Work: Moving into non-profit work, I continued my mission of empowering marginalized communities nationally, but particularly in Detroit, Michigan. My involvement in developing successful CVI (Community Violence Intervention) advocacy work and implementation showcased my commitment to addressing systemic issues and creating positive change at the mudd and grassroots level.

Navigating Systemic Barriers: In industries where black-owned businesses face significant systemic barriers, I utilized strategic approaches to overcome challenges. This likely involved networking with other black entrepreneurs, seeking mentorship from successful leaders, and advocating for policies that promote diversity and inclusion.

Building Strategic Alliances: Recognizing the importance of collaboration, I formed strategic alliances with like-minded individuals, organizations, and stakeholders. By working together, I amplified my impact and created opportunities for collective advancement, both within my organizations, community, and across various industries.

Community Engagement and Empowerment: Throughout my journey, community engagement and empowerment have been central to my work. By actively involving community members in decision-making processes and initiatives, We fostered a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for creating positive change.

Continuos Learning and Adaptation: To navigate complex legal, organizational, and systemic challenges, I’ve continuously educated myself and adapted my strategies. Whether it’s staying updated on policy, legal, developments, learning new advocacy techniques, or understanding industry trends, my commitment to growth has been instrumental in my success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
– Arrival:

Dinner: I’ll start the visit with a delicious dinner experience at Table No. 2, which is a black-owned white lining dining establishment in Downtown Detroit.

– Exploring Downtown:

Breakfast would start at Le Petit De’Jeuner, which is a family style dining and black-owned establishment.
Morning activity would visit Belle Isle which is one the largest parks in the United States and surrounded by a body of water called the Detroit River. (Black folk tail say Belle Isle is a USA representation of Madagascar and the Detroit River runs around Belle Isle like the Nile River does Madagascar.)

Lunch we would ride the people mover around downtown Detroit to see a view of Detroit landscape. Then get off the people mover at the Grand Circus Park/Woodward Ave. stop to ride the Q-Line and head over to Cooking with Que at The Kitchen to experience a vegan and plant-based meal from a black-owned establishment in Midtown area.

Afternoon Activity

– Cultural and Historic Sites

Take a tour with Trap Tours to some of Detroit’s historical homes and landmarks

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Family and Friends: My family and close friends such as Sam Smith provided crucial support and encouragement, especially during the difficult times following Lamont’s death and during the early stages of building my business. Their belief in me and their willingness to stand by me undoubtedly through time made a difference.

Mentors and Advisors: Whether formal or informal, mentors and advisors and many other business owners have offered guidance, wisdom, and insights as I navigated the complexities of starting and running a business. These individuals may have provided valuable advice on business strategy, decision-making, or personal development.

Colleagues and Business Partners: To name just a few, Dujuan “Zoe” Kennedy, Ty Mopkins, Dennis Reed II, Jonathan Jelks, Willie The Kid, Jamiel Robinson, Andrea “Dre” Wallace, Keith “PayCash” Miller, Cecil “Dice” Clark and many others has been instrumental in shaping the direction and success of my entrepreneurial journey. Collaborating with others can bring complementary skills, shared vision, and additional support to the table.

Customers and Clients: My customers and clients are the lifeblood of my business. Their trust and support have allowed Hopz Mgmt LLC to grow and thrive. Whether it’s individuals or organizations that have benefited from my services, their satisfaction and loyalty are integral to my success.

Community Members: As a community organizer and entrepreneur, I’m deeply connected to the community I serve. The individuals within the community, whether they’re volunteers, customers, or advocates, have contributed to the success of my business by providing feedback, spreading the word, and participating in my initiatives.

Business Advisors and Consultants: Professional advisors and consultants, such as my previous attorney Victoria Burton-Harris (Mccaskey Law) and lawyer Brandon Byrd (Byrd Legal), and Mikai Green (Green Law Virtual Intellectual Property P.C.) have provided invaluable expertise and guidance within my personal and business growth.

Lamont’s (Hopz) Family and Loved Ones: Lastly, recognizing and honoring Lamont’s family and loved ones is crucial. They’ve supported me in my efforts to honor his memory and have been part of the journey directly or indirectly, whether through emotional support, encouragement, or involvement in activities.

Each of these individuals has contributed in their own way to this journey.

Website: https://www.motivatinginnernewdreams.org

Instagram: Screal__

Linkedin: James “Screal” Eberheart Jr.

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Facebook: Motivating Inner New DreamS

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Other: Business investments and initiatives:

www.takersgaming.com
www.motuvigetspirits.com
www.inceptionep.com
www.forbes.com/forbesblk

Image Credits
Skooty Visions – Exclusive Visions Media

PMG Agency