Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 5-20-16 Online Edition

Features
Tampa Firm Signs Actor From The Hit Show, ‘Empire’
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
In 2001, J. Jonathan Means founded JMB Enter- tainment and Sports with the mission of helping local artists and athletes manage their ca- reers.
In the beginning, Means was working with local artists and helping them get their ca- reers off the ground.
That early success has re- sulted in Means signing To- bias Truvillion, an aspiring actor who plays the role of “D Major” in the hit show, “Em- pire,” broadcast on Fox Net- work.
Means said negotiations began last Thursday, May 12th, and by Saturday, May 14th, the contract was signed.
“It all happened through mutual acquaintances and a referral.
“As far as JMB Entertain- ment and Sports is concerned, this means we are making headway in various entertain- ment venues and reality televi- sion a well.”
Truvillion is an award- winning television, film, and theatrical actor and producer from Queens, New York. Truvillion had a stellar per- formance as “Shango” in the theatrical musical, “Oya,” and that earned him a prestigious AUDELCO Award for “Best Male in a Musical.” His recur- ring role on ABC’s “One Life To Live,” also earned him a 2008 NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Actor in Daytime Drama Se- ries.”
TOBIAS TRUVILLION .....”D Major” On Empire
Subsequently, Truvillion became known for a bevy of captivating television, film, theatrical roles, including “Flesh and Bone,” “White Collar,” “Brooklyn Finest,” “Hitch,” “Blue Bloods,” “Black Angels Over Tuskegee,” and Per- sons of Interest.”
In a recent scene on Em- pire’s Season 2 Episode 16, Truvillion was in a very ag- gressive and lustful encounter with Jamal (played by Jussie Smollett), whose break- through performance sent the social media world into a frenzy.
Now that Truvillion’s brand recognition has grown even more in mainstream pro- gramming, he chose to partner with JMB Entertainment and Sports Group to maximize his value and earning power through an array of opportuni- ties that include endorse- ments, licensing deals, appearances, merchandising, and other means.
“We are very proud to be working with Tobias,” said Means.
“He’s on the verge of reach- ing Hollywood stardom and
our goal is to leverage his brand globally.”
As well as representing the television star as a brand man- ager, JMB represents “Big Freedia,” notably for appear- ing on Beyonce’s hit single, “Formation,” and Fuse Net- work’s top rated docu-series, “Big Freedia – Queen of Bounce”; Raymond Scott, aka “Benzino,” famous for his role on VH1’s most highly rated show, “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta,” and TV One’s “The Next 15”; in addition to Nicole “Hoopz” Alexan- der, another docu-series star best known for winning the VH1 reality television shows’ “Flavor of Love and I Love Money.” She currently has a show on Oxygen Network called “It Takes A Sister,” along with starring in new shows coming this fall.
Means said the goal of JMB Entertainment and Sports is to maximize their clients’ value as athletes and entertainers, as well as help extend their success over their entire life time.
J. JONATHAN MEANS
Youth Track & Field Group Prepares To Celebrate 25th Anniversary
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
“When I started this, I had no idea that I would still be doing it 25 years later. But, I’m very excited about our Silver Anniversary,” Nate Johnson, founder of the Bay Area Youth Track & Field (BAYTAF) organ- ization said.
Nevertheless, Johnson and his wife, Mrs. Carmen Johnson, will host their 25th Annual BAYTAF Classic Event May 27th through May 29th. The event will take place on the campus of the University of South Florida.
On that weekend, athletes from the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Cayman Is- lands will participate in the event.
Nearly 30 years ago, the Johnsons had no idea they were creating a legacy that will become all inclusive of athletes young and old. Today, the BAYTAF Classic is recognized as one of the top youth track and field competitions in America and the Caribbean.
BAYTAF’s history is unique in the manner in which it began. When the couple’s chil- dren were young, Mrs. John- son suggested to her husband to involve them in outdoor ac- tivities. Living in East Tampa and not far from the old Mid- dleton High School, Johnson took his children to the school to practice track and field events.
Soon, other children from the neighborhood joined in and Johnson formed the Christian Cruisers Track & Field Team.
While the team could com- pete against local teams, there was no large competition in the area. “Back in the early 1990s, teams had to go to Miami or At- lanta to compete. So, I asked the question, ‘Why can’t we do it in the bay area?’ It was cre- ated so local kids could partici-
pate without having to travel. Now, it has become an interna- tional event.
Johnson coordinated his efforts with representatives and civic organizations throughout the bay area. I n 1991, Johnson hosted the first Bay Area Youth Track Field (BAYTAF) Event and involved teams from Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. The first BAYTAF Track & Field event was held on the campus of the University of Tampa. Since then, it was been held annually, at other locations in both Hills- borough and Pinellas Counties.
The event is held every Me- morial Day Weekend. John- son said it features athletes from age 5 to 90-years-old.
On Friday, the Open Com- petition and Masters will fea- ture adults. It will take place from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. The youth competition will take place on Saturday and Sunday. The youth competitions will take place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The athletes will compete in the 100, 200, and 400 meter springs, 800 and mile runs, 4 X 100 and 4 X 400 races. The will also take part in the long jump, pole vault, high jump, discuss, javelin and shot put competi- tions.
CARMEN AND NATE JOHNSON Founders of BAYTAF
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016