Brandy Cavalli Coke is best known and described as a "hustler" in her own right. Beginning a career in the music industry at age 18, she was always accustomed to the fast party girl lifestyle that came with the entertainment world.
She eventually found herself in the arms of some of "the baddest" bad boys and like many other women before her, found herself having to take care of herself once the "bomb dropped".
She is a very smart and well spoken young lady and has proven to be very capable of taking care of herself and others by leading her marketing team, which she affectionately refers to as - "The Mob".
I had the chance to visit Ms "Cavalli Coke" while working on her new media projects and spend some time with the lady of "The Mob" known as "IL Capitana".
We discussed everything from business to fashion to the lifestyle that has put most of her men in prison as well as took the life of her beloved fiancé.
She is a strong lady that does not let her past define her. She has somewhat of an "old" wise soul with a young cool swagger, she is a woman of power and virtue who has become successful by her own sheer will and determination.
Tell me a little bit about your organization The Social Mob.
The Social Mob LLC is "my baby". I started the group as a fun way to socialize with like-minded associates on Facebook. The purpose of the group was to encourage one another to get money, plain and simple. I wanted to start a group that we could stick together and have a place to share our thoughts with others of the same mentality. It became a business kinda by default.
What made you decide to make The Social Mob an official company?
I decided to make The Social Mob an official company because I am a very business minded person & I wanted to create a company that was not only cool, but also reflected my personal interests and career goals. I've been doing marketing since age 17. The popularity of the group grew so fast that I felt I had to find a way to capitalize on it. Now it has become my therapy, whenever things are not going so right, I can always find solace in working on my baby.
Why did you choose the name The Social Mob?
The name came from the group, its really a unique organization. "Mob" actually means "Money, Opportunities, Business". Its kinda 'underground', not your typical organization.
What is the company's mission of The Social Mob LLC?
The mission of "The Mob" is provide a networking canvas for young entrepreneurs that also encourages community involvement among young people. We partner with the Young Entrepreneurs Network to mentor college students looking to become entrepreneurs.
The 'moneyops' team which is an outside marketing team, headed by myself, which provides marketing support for various products, organizations, and companies.
In all, The Social Mob is a cluster of all things business and entertainment. We now have about 20-25 affiliates.
Why do they call you the IL Capitana?
IL Capitana is a name the was given to me by my cousins. IL CAPO means "the captain" so IL Capitana means "the female captain".
I really like what your charity called The Prettie Committee is all about. Tell me a little bit about that organization.
Yes! My charity provides clothing and accessories for displaced women and young girls. We partner with many local shelters to raise donations and awareness in the community. We try to focus on women that were displaced due to "the lifestyle" and provide resources for the mothers to escape the streets and become productive members of society.
We collect trendy clothing that the women can wear to job interviews, church, and other important functions. Appearance can really do alot to raise a woman's self esteem and we want to provide the best wardrobes possible to encourage self motivation and esteem.
What made you decide to get into charity work?
Philanthropy is something that is very dear to me. My mother is a lifelong philanthropist and humanitarian and its something that she instilled in me as a young child. I also wanted to give to the community because I feel that I am extremely blessed and feel it is necessary to spread your blessings around to others in a less fortunate position. In all, I just wanted to find a way to giveback to causes that relate to me.
I know that you come from a certain "lifestyle", tell me a little about your past life.
Well, actually I came from a good home, my mother is a strong, powerful and educated woman. I ended up involved in the street lifestyle due to my choices in men.
Personally, I have always been a fiesty go-getter and fiercely independent, for that reason I've always attracted the bad boys. I started my career in marketing at age 17, even though I've always dated a certain kind of guy, I've always maintained my OWN identity and career goals. It was somewhat a double life. At work I was a professional and outside of work I dwelled in the underbelly, it was very much a contrast of two worlds.
So you would say you were inducted into the lifestyle, rather than born into it?
I wouldn't say inducted because I come from a large family of hustlers and gangsters. My uncles and cousins are all street guys so honestly, it was a natural transition for me. I was always a rebel child so it was very easy to fall into the lifestyle but I did not see crime in my household growing up.
My first REAL boyfriend was in the 'streetlife' and he was alot older than me, so he taught me alot and I took it from there. I jumped headfirst into the life once I left my mother's house at age 17. At the time I really had no idea what I was getting into, it was a world-wind and I was the ultimate party girl, looking for fun.
Do you have any regrets?
No regrets, just lessons learned. I would have made some different choices but ultimately my choices are what makes me who I am. What I have been through has made me the strong person I am so I could not say "regret" I would say I would choose different for my children (when I have them). That's why I try to talk to these young girls and guide them into another direction. I was (BLESSED) to make it out without a ferocious record and I want to save as many young women as I can. If I had not experienced the things I did, then I would have no story to tell them.
I know that you spent many years trapped in the lifestyle. How easy or hard was it to transition out of the lifestlye?
A: It was an easy transition in and a VERY difficult transition out of the lifestyle. You become accustomed to the money, the trips, the diamonds, the cars, the houses, the condos, the power and before you know it, you have spent years trapped in the circle.
Again, I always seem to attract this same kind of guy. After going through questioning during one of the biggest drug bust in US history, (Story Here) I decided enough was ENOUGH and if I wanted to save my life I would have to make drastic changes. I threw myself into my business and school and that was what helped me to get my mind in another direction, as well as ALOT of prayer and counseling.
Do you have any advice to women still in the lifestyle?
A: My advice is to position and transition out. Its not going to be an easy process but it is worth it. I almost found myself in federal prison due to the lifestyle and that forced me to make a choice. There are many community outreach programs and churches that will provide resources, but my advice is to save yourself because no one else will. Once the man is gone, be it to jail or (God forbid) worse, us women are always forced to take care of ourselves and families.. and they will be able to do so.
Make sure to catch Part 2 of this interview. Posting soon.
Brian Perry, Blog Contributor & Writer
The Crime Diary Blog
