The Voice of Southwest Louisiana September 2019 Issue

SWLA business
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18-19
decorum. For Vanessa, it
is all about being the best
representation for the area.
“We represent the best of
Southwest Louisiana, on and
off the court.” It’s a principal
that is important to her.
The Imperials games can be
enjoyed by the entire family.
Giving the entire family
something to do is very
important for the co-owners.
Vanessa is the mother of two
(Ian, 19 and Kennedi, 9) and
her partner, Trayvon, is the
father of three (Camrin, 18,
A’Zharia, 7, and Raine, 2) so
family is a priority for both of
the entrepreneurs.
Trayvon Amir adds, “I
have always been a sports
enthusiast; with that same
enthusiasm, I was driven to
start a sports event business.
Which in terms, lead to the
partnership with co-owner
Vanessa McKinstry and thus
the birth of the Imperials. We
pride ourselves on providing
exposure to any aspect of
sports and entertainment in
general, not just basketball
players, but anyone looking
for a platform to promote
positivity in the area.”
Supporting the Imperials
is a chance to elevate
members of the local
community. Two
entrepreneurs have set
the groundwork for an
entity that can feed local
businesses and communities
for years to come. It is
going to be truly splendid
to watch what becomes
of this fresh team. The
strides they have made are
already putting eyes on the
area, and with Southwest
Louisiana anticipating
much growth in coming
years, this may be the boom
of something immense.
Catch a game during the
upcoming season and make
sure you get some of the
concessions that fans rave
about year-round. Vanessa
McKinstry and Trayvon Amir
represent the best the area
has to offer-- hope, faith, and
perseverance.
'GO..
Vote..
GROW!!
2019 Game Schedule
whoever needs her, she is
constantly seeking how she
can create opportunity. As
a single mother, she knows
the value of a father figure
in the home, but when that
isn’t present, you must find
it. “These men are great
examples for those in the
area seeking great male
representation for their
children. They are fathers
first and in our community
this representation is crucial,”
Vanessa speaks in relation to
the upstanding men on her
team. She also accredits this to
her low pricing for tickets.
“I want the struggling
mother with four kids to be
able to bring her children to
Imperials’ games and show
her sons and daughters
what positivity looks like
on the black man. That’s not
often the rhetoric or narrative
that they are given. We have
something different and $10
can get that experience for
them all,” Vanessa stated about
her $5 adult and $1 children
tickets. Plus, it’s not bad they
get to see a black woman
conduct business in an arena
dominated by white men.
What makes the Imperials
more special is that their
co-owner is not a reflection
of the usual sports team
owner. As a black woman,
team ownership is not the
norm. Her partner Trayvon is
the basketball guy who knows
what makes sense for the
team, but Vanessa is all about
the business and operations.
When asked about her
journey she exalts her roster
as being full of respectful
men who respond well to her
leadership. “It’s not the same
for other female owners I’ve
come across,” she explained.
“I’ve seen players make
demeaning and derogatory
comments about their owner’s
anatomy and we cringe. I lead
in a way that my guys know
this is not how we interact or
do business.”
Athletes get such a bad rep
for their overly masculine
personas and the detriment
their arrogance can have
on others, but the Imperials
bring something new to the
table. “Miss Vanessa ain’t
having it!” McKinstry chuckled
about the expectations she
has for the team. “There’s
no sagging on my court.
No fighting, no vulgarity,
or causing a commotion.
Yes, I allow them to be men,
but respect is a must for us,”
Vanessa enlisted of the team’s
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Free Open Tryouts
Date: September 21, 2019
Where: Purple Heart (city gym)
20 September 2019 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 7 • Number 2 Volume 7 • Number 2 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM September 2019 21