Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 8-28-15 Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
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Tampa Natives On Set Of N.W.A. Biopic, ‘Straight Outta Compton’
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
A pair of men from Tampa, Sly “Pyper” Jordan and Galen Gra- ham, have reached the pinnacle of success as the founders of B.U.M. Rush Records. The record label wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration, work, and studios of world renowned rapper, producer and businessman, Dr. Dre.
Graham, who has managed sev- eral night clubs in Tampa as well as a few package stores left Tampa almost 10 years ago, and was managing a top level club in Atlanta until his lifelong friend, Sly gave him a call.
“He told me what he was doing in Los Angeles, and that he and Dr. Dre were about to embark on something really big. He wanted me to drop everything, and fly out to California.
“I hesitated at first, and after talk- ing it over with my family, I decided to go West and see what I could do. Now, I’m the co-owner of a record label and clothing line.”
Graham was right there when the wheels started turning to do a movie based on N.W.A.
“An N.W.A. movie had been dis- cussed and planned since Eazy E (Eric Wright) died in 1995. It’s been a work in progress, and it took getting a lot of people together, but Dr. Dre and his team got it done.
“What a lot of people don’t know is there’s still another 30 minutes of the movie no one has seen yet, and that will be coming out later.”
Tampa native, Galen Graham and the man who played Easy E in the movie, Jason Mitchell.
From left to right: Dr. Dre, Tampa natives, Sly Jordan and Galen Graham.
Graham is proud that he and Sly have 7 credits in the Straight Outta Compton soundtrack, and their names appear in the movie credits.
“I am honored to have been on the
These are scenes from the movie.
movie set during the filming. Seeing it being produced and their story brought to life was really amazing,” said Graham.
“Now, everyone wants to know if there’s going to be an N.W.A. re- union. All I have to say to that ques- tion is maybe?”
Jordan is an alumna of the Uni- versity of South Florida and he and Graham want people to know that everyone has a chance to be a part of something big.
“Just keep working hard and striv- ing to be the best. As far as B.U.M. Records is concerned, we will make a mark in Tampa.
“We want to create an environ- ment where the young people will know how to control their own proj- ects and future.”
Graham said he’s learned so much being with Dr. Dre and Sly, and he anticipates bigger things com- ing in the near future right here in Tampa.
“When you have had the opportu- nity to be a part of such a successful movie, you can’t wait for the next big thing to come along.
“It’s my dream to bring some of this magic to Tampa and make stars out of a lot of people here. Tampa will always be home to me.”
Workshop Designed To Empower Youth Planned
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, Mrs. Vanessa John- son announced the creation of a new organization. As an introduction to the new organization, a workshop will take place next month involving sev- eral organizations.
The International Youth Empo- werment Coalition Task Force was created “to inspire youth and allow them to empower their peers positive reinforcement; with a zealous effort to bring peace, hope, harmony and love for a better tomorrow.
“Our primary focus is to have youth empowering others to stop vio- lence, bullying, and any other behav- ior that leads to personal injury,” Mrs. Johnson said.
The organization also targets de- veloping productive young adults to become role models for each other.
“Youth learning productive behav-
MRS. VANESSA JOHNSON Founder/CEO of the International Youth Empowerment Coalition Task
Force
ior from other youth can replace other negative influences by creating a net- work of youth with a spirit of friend-
ship and community. This will be ac- complished through education, train- ing and learning how to become artistically creative,” she said.
Mrs. Johnson launched her first organization, Blue Moon 211, Inc. sev- eral years ago. Its purpose was to draw attention to the astounding number of suicides taking place.
She feels youth will benefit by be- coming positive role models for each other. “Times have changed. Our youths are learning from each other at an overwhelming rate. We need to act and reverse the information they are learning. Encouraging our youths to become leaders, teaching positive in- formation to instill in their peers will reduce stress, negative activity and give our youths an outlook on their fu- ture.
“There are many organizations in the community giving our children in- formation, now is a time for a change. Our youths need to apply the informa-
tion, and apply it correctly.”
Ms. Alisha Persad, founder and
CEO of T.O.R.C.H., has united with Mrs. Johnson to administer Train- ing and Leadership Development workshops. Ms. Dianne Hart, of the East Tampa Business and Civic Asso- ciation is co-sponsoring the event.
Blue Moon 211 Inc. Suicide Aware- ness/ Prevention is hosting their First Annual “Imagine That,” Youth Em- powerment Explosion. The event will take place on September 19th, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. It will be held at the NFL YET Center, 3310 E Lake Ave.
The event is designed from young- sters between the ages of 12 and 17. It is the beginning of a series of annual workshops that are slated to take place. The event will include skits, songs, and hands-on activities.
For more information contact Mrs. Johnson at (813) 403-4318 or at www.faith.bluemoon211@gmail.- com.