The V.I.P. List
V.I.P.’s aren’t just athletes or celebrities. The very important people we should look up to are surrounded by us each day. The educators, the mentors and motivator are who matter in the world more than anything because they are the ones that shape us. I had the pleasure of sitting down with some individuals that live their dreams each day and inspire others around them to do the same. The line-up is quite diverse but each story is equally compelling.
Lehronda Upshur
You may know Lehronda Upshur’s name from radio stations such as, Power 99FM, My 106.1, 105.3, and 104.5. She served as a News Anchor and Public Affairs Director for Power 99 FM and some of the other Clear Channel owned stations for more than ten years. During those years, she covered stories as serious as the Bosnian War, and survived at least four changes in radio station ownership. Miss Upshur is one resilient and tough cookie. She currently serves as a Director at a Residential Treatment Facility; and is completing her second Masters at Bryn Mawr College. During the interview, Miss Upshur shows us what it takes to be the best at everything she gets her hands on, and how to turn each opportunity into a tangible success. Friday evening after a long day of writing contracts, and a yearly potluck event at the office-- Lehronda nestled her small frame into a chair that seemed to swallow her up in size but not spirit. She kicked her shoes off, leaned back, and welcomed my series of questions.
NAJA: What did you do to prepare yourself for the radio industry?
LU: “When I was a little girl, I asked a lot of questions. My mother used to tell me that I could get paid to talk this much when I got older. She told me that I should do this, I should go to school for journalism. So I took her advice and went to Penn State. My major was originally Public Relations then I changed it to journalism. I concentrated on Broadcasting at Penn State during a time when they were broadening their program. “
NAJA: Some might say you went straight from school to the league, is that true?
LU: My first internship did turn into a long career. I didn’t plan it that way but that’s the way it went. At first it was a little bit of gopher work, I’d say ten percent gopher work, which is normal for a rookie in any industry-- but the rest of it was hands-on, and very intense. I went out and covered real stories. I took the recorder and the microphone, produced the sound and worked closely with Loraine Ballard Morrill. At that time she was a one-person department so the help was welcomed. My first story was on Wade cable. Jim Wade owned cable. To my knowledge, it was the first black owned cable company in Philadelphia. I interviewed Jim Wade and his comrades. My favorite story was the Bosnian War. I was selected from a pool of 600 reporters to cover the story. Covering that story made me want me to be an international correspondent but having a second child easily changed those plans.
NAJA: During your time in radio was it a male dominated field?
LU: My God yes! It wasn’t a prominent place for females and is still is not. That’s just the way it was. In a way I felt I could change it but then again, my interest went away. I decided that I wanted to have more of a direct hand in helping people instead.
NAJA: When did you decide radio was no longer for you?
LU: There wasn’t much growth. I was either going to go to another station or to television and I didn’t want to do television and I didn’t want to bounce around to different radio stations. I wanted a new challenge. I felt like I mastered where I was; not that I mastered radio-- but just where I was—and there is a huge difference. Working as the Public Affairs Director for nearly fifteen years I met different groups of people who needed a voice to tell their stories and their hardships and they didn’t have one. I also felt radio changing. Internet was becoming so big and I knew I needed a plan. I worked in residential and direct care; and also took a part time job teaching in a prison. Initially I took the direct care position just to pay bills and help fund my first Masters degree; but then I started to like it-- especially when I saw that I was making a change in people’s lives. There was also a high that I got from teaching at the prisons. Honestly there were things my student didn’t get before I taught it to them and I demanded certain expectations of them and that was something they never had. I made a connection with them; and it was a connection that I wanted to keep making. Now I’m pursuing my second Master’s—and this time it’s in Social work. The goal is for me to become licensed, and open my own practice to help children and their families. Social work provides me the flexibility that I wouldn’t have gotten from radio; and I know I will truly be making a difference in the lives of the audience that I once served in completely different capacity. I’m positive I can make a difference and that my patients will benefit from whatever I can offer.
NAJA: You seem to be the type of woman that grabs her goals by the bullhorns and makes them submit to you. To what do you owe that intensity?
LU: My mother is intense; she’s anal so while most people interpret that into a negative I turned it into a positive. I was in a house with a teacher and a member of the military. I always had to reach for the best. I was never able to relax and I always had to have a plan according to my parents. There was never a moment to celebrate. I was also rebellious, so the intensity I did learn from them but I would do what they asked but still get mine in too, you know? I had a healthy balance of work and play. My mother pushed me so hard. If I took Spanish one, I had to take Spanish two and then three. If I learned to ride a bike then I had to learn to Jet Ski, it was always something next on the list to master. I have a hard time celebrating moments because I’m reaching for the next big thing. The upside to being so intense with your work is that you put opportunities in place for others. When I had interns at the radio station, I know they hated me, because I worked them to the bone and made them accomplish things they probably never conceived were possible. As soon as they completed one task; I had the next one ready for them. I was especially hard on the young black females. If they wore something low cut or otherwise inappropriate, there was a penalty that could ultimately lead to termination. These were the same girls that the higher ups would smile at and speak to; and shortly thereafter come to me asking me to get rid of them. I cared enough to correct them because most people won’t take the time to correct you. Most of them would have been fired for something totally unrelated to the real reason; and they will have never learned anything. I was a bitch for sure-- but it was for their benefit. Loraine Ballard Morrill was my mentor. She shaped me like a mother would her daughter. If it were not’t for her, I wouldn’t ever have been in radio. She brought me in and she would give me things to do and id look at her like why am I doing this but I realized she was preparing me as if she wasn’t going to be around anymore. I needed to be Lorraine. She wasn’t concerned about me taking her spot; rather her priority was to prepare me for whatever happened. I appreciated that she was a secure professional woman, and that she was never threatened by me--she groomed me well.
NAJA: As a professional woman what advice would you give to other woman trying to break into the professional realm?
LU: Always have a plan A and a plan B. Being a professional woman means having a lot of doors shut in your face; so learn to climb through windows. Also, develop really tough skin, and know when to listen and not talk. You can get a lot from listening. Last but not least-- manners don’t cost, so use them.
Ms. Wise
I made haste to the Starbucks on 10th and Chestnut Street. When I walked in I found a petite brown skinned girl in a simple black tank top rocking original tattoos on her arm playing around with her phone. I formally introduced myself to her-- since we had only spoken through messages on Facebook. Alyesha Wise caught my ear at an “Art, Beats and Eats” event in Philadelphia. The second time I was blessed to hear her was by accident. I was invited to an African American History celebration at Drexel University School of Medicine and she was walking on the stage as I took my seat. Out of her soul through her veins and out of her mouth was power unlike anything I ever expected. She conveyed messages of hope, hurt, grace and redemption. From these two sightings it was necessary for me to find out who this woman was off the stage and to learn more about what she was offering the world through her art.
NAJA: I took a look at your website, www.mswisedecision.com which was dope by the way—and you mentioned in your biography a-- “Love Revolution.” What exactly is that?”
Ms. Wise: Love Revolution is a movement. We as people are so divided from one another so the idea is to have people coming together—unified and learning how to love one another no matter whom, what, or how we are. I have an organization called Love, Us –that stands behind the whole Love Revolution or rather the revolution stands behind it no matter how you look at it they work hand and hand. It’s a medium for the revolution. I use the arts to promote the idea of love through Love Us. The idea was inspired by so many things and so many people. A huge inspiration for me when it comes to the idea of love is Michael Jackson. I've always been a fan, but it wasn't until his death that I started paying more attention to the message in his music--like most of the world. Michael spoke about love religiously. He believed it had a healing power. His death drew me closer to this message. I wish to carry on MJ's Love Revolution. There is so much I see every day--there have been an increase of bullying in schools and suicides amongst our youth and they just aren’t unified like they should. It was just a combination of so many things and I was just saying to myself that we’ve always been missing out on love but especially today more than ever and it’s just ridiculous. Were so separated from one another and we don’t notice it and people feel we’ve come a long way but we have so much growing to do. So yeah that’s what this revolution is I want to unify people to the point that they can begin to heal. Oh my Gosh if people just knew the power that they had and what they could do with it.
NAJA: That’s similar to Bob Marley and his theory that he could inject love into people through music, that’s pretty dope. So the goal is to have people love each other and themselves?
Ms. Wise: I’m glad you said that, as much as I promote love, self-love is a big part of that as well.
NAJA: Okay so what does a Love, Us event look like? I need to come to one-- I really do-- but give me like a sneak preview of what to expect!
Ms. Wise: Ha-ha for sure! It’s a huge production that happens once a year on the last Wednesday in June. Basically the show starts with an opening letter-- in the form of a poem read by an artist-- addressing anyone that has brought harm, hate or hurt to another person and at the end of the reading the poet signs off with the letter ending—Love, Us. It serves as a double an tundra-- Love, Us-- as one would sign at the end of the letter and a directive to—Love, Us-- as people. Then we have a series of performances, we show video clips--which are really awesome-- of different artists performances too. So far there have been two Love, Us production and I’m really proud of what its becoming. The only thing that’s consistent with the production is the opening letter other than that we’re going to switch it up. We’re going to have a second production by Love, Us-- but we don’t really have a name for it just yet. I just was writing in my notebook trying to get some ideas. It’s going to take place in December 9th and it’s going to be Love, us presents—whatever name is decided—and it’s going to be way edgier! There is going to be more of a hip-hop feel to it. We are still going to have poets but just a rawer vibe to it. We’re still going to be promoting love and I’m excited because the line-up that we have in place is just ridiculous-- I’m so hype!
NAJA: Now when you mentioned edgier do you ever incorporated in the performances other art forms.
Ms. Wise: oh yeah absolutely! At our annual production we had a live painter, we have singers, poets-- of course-- and at the last production we had a one-woman play called-- Girls! Girls? Girls--performed by Marjuan Canady—you could probably find it on Google. It was such an awesome part of the show. Let’s see, we didn’t have dancers but I want to incorporate that in the next event. Now we usually host the event at the Rotunda but were looking for another venue because these past two years so many people are coming out and we need a bigger space. Gina-- who operates the Rotunda and has been a huge help-- brought to my attention that the turnouts were becoming larger and it might be wise to start looking for a larger venue. I prefer consistency but this is a great problem to have—a growing audience!
NAJA: What types of people come to the Love, Us production?
Ms. Wise: The first show it wasn’t that diverse. Everyone was telling how successful it was but I wasn’t satisfied because I wasn’t trying to put on a show I wanted to get a message across. If I feel like I didn’t reach the audience I wanted to reach then I don’t feel I did my job. The second event was so diverse, black white and all the colors in between different religious followings and I’m almost certain there was a baby in the audience. Ha-ha it was beautiful. I couldn't’t ask for anything more accept for more people of course.
NAJA: When did you accept your gift?
Ms. Wise: I always wanted someone to ask me that question because I started when I was 11 but it was just a hobby. Some people usually ask me when did I start to write or when did I take my writing seriously, but when did I accept it is a great way to put it. I didn’t accept it until I was seventeen. It was just a hobby at first. I had a crazy childhood growing up in Camden, I was wild. But eventually I started changing my life around and I realized this gift I had and I started writing about my pain in my poetry and when I finally recited this poem about wanting to change I saw the impact it had on the audience and the impact it had on me as I was reciting it. At that moment I accepted poetry as my savior.
NAJA: Are there any other genres of art in which you participate.
Ms. Wise: I dabble—I dabble in hip hop. I say dabble because I never came out with an album or anything but I embrace its culture and style. On my next album I’m definitely going to do some spit’n on it. That’s about it I’m just a creator I embrace all the art forms but spoken word is my thing.
NAJA: You were ranked fifth best female poet in the world last year not in the region or the state the world!!
Ms. Wise: ha-ha it was fine.
NAJA: No, No, I don’t want to hear it was fine ha-ha, tell me about that whole experience; what was it like!
Ms. Wise: I was in a competition called, “Women of the world.” Woman from all over the world compete for this one title for best female slam poet in the world. You compete first for best slam poet in your city first. I went out for that and won and I was sent to Ohio for the national competition. It was a four day competition. I had two days of competitions, one day of semi-finals, and then finals. I made it to the finals and it was fuuuuun! Ha-ha. It was awesome because I went with another girl from Philly it was her first time and she made it to the final stages too. So yeah it was cool to have two people from Philly reppin!
NAJA: What transforms you from the quite person that is here today to the passionate performer I’ve seen on stage?
Ms. Wise: When I’m performing my energy comes from what I’m saying. When I perform its either super personal or coming from a deep place where I have a lot of passion and hope behind it. I’m also a bog story teller so I tell stories about what I’ve been through and I enjoy sharing that and through that I’m healing myself and also helping others to tell their story. When you’re on stage telling your audience something so painful and intense that has happened to you and you’re being really honest with it you can’t help but be intense. Some people can tell a similar story but not evoke the emotions that I do. I’m the type of performer that wants to my audience to feel what I’m saying as well as hear. I just really believe in everything I do and it’s not merely for entertainment so I often get caught up in the moment.
NAJA: What equips you to do what you do.?
Ms. Wise: My history, my growing. I mentioned before, but I put myself through a lot. I can’t go on blaming others for things that happened to me. I was old enough to know right and wrong. You hear people say the cliché-- had I not gone through what I went through I wouldn’t be here today-- but it stands to true. Had I not gone through the things I went through as a young woman I would not be Ms. Wise today. I probably wouldn’t even be writing poetry. My history shaped me and made me strong.
NAJA: Now I’m sure you probably get this a lot but I HAVE to ask you--do people compare you to Lauren Hill?
Ms. Wise: HA-HA, Yes! I love it. I take it as an honor you know and people may have sour things to say about Lauren today but when you think about her name overall she’s just a beautiful person, very artistic—there’s just something about Lauren that puts a smile on my face. To be honest, okay I can see the comparison a little bit and then a lot of people say it to me. I never expected so many people to make the comparison, you know maybe one of two people but it’s a lot. It makes me happy!
NAJA: How would the world be if there were more people like Ms. Wise?
Ms. Wise: Oh my goodness, it would be so much more living. I don’t mean to be arrogant and say I’m perfect so folks should be like me but we’re not living right now. We’re just existing-- were zombies. People get up eat, work, feed their kids then sleep. Then some have no focus at all in their loves. They don’t take the time to notice the beauty in between the things that happen every day. Even though I’m not rich I’m so happy. There is nothing that I am depressed a bout. There have been times when I only had just enough to make ends meet but this art keeps me alive. There are people who have big bucks and they are still so displeased with life and miserable. Were all diamonds--we just have to learn how to tap into our worth.
mswisedecision.com
Harry Wilson
I met Harry at Studio 609, ran by producers Dre and Vidal. He played the guitar on a track that I had written a song too. What I dig most about Harry is his mellow demeanor. He wasn’t hype but he was friendly. It was one thing to hear the guitar already recorded mixed in with some other instruments but when I heard Harry play live it was celestial! Music truly has made a home inside of his heart and remains a permanent resident. Harry welcomed me with open arms to what it’s like to be a musician.
NAJA: What was the first instrument you picked up as a child?
Harry: HAHAHA—I’m laughing because now that I think about it—it’s hilarious. The first instrument was a recorder. You know in elementary school everyone had a recorder. But my real first instrument was the flute. That only last about a few months. In school they gave us a sheet of paper to pick our instrument, you know you had your brass, your wind instruments and so on and all of the others were taken so I chose the flute. The rest of fourth grade I always thought about playing the bass but my parents never bought me one but in fifth grade they bought me a guitar. I would walk around the house listening to AC/DC. In sixth grade I got more into the guitar and in seventh grade I got my second guitar and started to take lessons all the way through high school. I had a great guitar instructor who was a great mentor and basically help me to become the musician I am today. I didn’t have musicians in my family so being able to study with him I was able to learn music and grow as a musician. By the time I graduated from high school I picked his brain to get as much as I could. I had a lot in me to dedicate to playing the guitar, which helped to open so many doors for me to network and meet some of the greatest people that I know today including my friends.
NAJA: When did you decide that music was what you wanted in your life more than anything?
Harry: When I first started I was a kid so-- like any other kid that may tell you they want to be a cop, football player or whatever-- I was optimistic. The more I got into playing guitar I realized that this could be something I want to do with my life forever. I played sports in school but when started taking lessons, I realized that my sport practices and my guitar lessons were clashing so I made the decision to focus my attention on what was right to me.
NAJA: Who are your musical muses?
Harry: Stevie Wonder. He’s not just a genius but just the way he approaches music and still keep its integrity. He never listens to people who say, “Oh that’s not going to be a good sound for this time” Or “No one is going to dance to that.” He knows the sound he wants and he knows how to facilitate it. That alone deserves so much respect—the fact that he has the talent but is still assertive in how he wants it put out into the world. Its one thing to be a musician and do what comes from the heart as opposed to being a musician that does what everyone else is telling you to do. That’s where I am right now. I want everything that comes from my heart to touch people in a way where they know exactly where it came from.
NAJA: How important is music to you?
Harry: Music to me is life because it’s not just a way to express feelings and emotions but it’s a way to tell your story to the world. People understand an artist more through their art. I’ve noticed that in my life. You may have friends that know you but they don’t really know you to the core. Internally people don’t see the things you portray in your music. That’s how I am. I don’t necessarily put my cards out on the table for everyone to see—you know. But at the same time with music I’m able to at that point put everything out in the open. There’s an alter ego within every artist, there this one person that reserved but on stage your someone totally different.
NAJA: What is life like as a guitarist when it comes to the ladies?
Harry: It’s definitely a good life but you also have to be careful because people have their intensions. Life before the strings was normal but now it gets a little out of control. Females come to me all of the time when they’ve seen me perform a solo and they say when I play its orgasmic. So I don’t know what to take from that. I mean it kind of makes since but it’s funny to me because I love music and it obviously shows. When I’m on stage I’m thinking about how much I love the art, not that I’m trying to impress a chick out in the crowd.
NAJA: Who is your favorite artist with whom you’ve had the pleasure to perform?
Harry: John Legend. I have so much respect for him. He has done a lot a not just as an artist but also as a humanitarian. You should check out his “Show Me Campaign”
NAJA: Do you have an opinion on the role of music when it comes to children?
Harry: Music for children is so important and I’m glad you asked me this questions. There is a project that Jeff Bradshaw worked on. At a warehouse in Chester, where we shot a music video of us playing a cover of Mos Def’s “Umi Says” surrounded by children. The line—“My Umi said shine the light on the world.”-- is so inspiring and especially for children. No one can tell you what you can’t do. During the break of shooting the video one of the kids took my guitar and I showed him how to play a few different chords. So many children have no outlet what so ever and don’t know how to do a lot of things because no one shows them. But music is instrumental—no pun intended. If I hadn’t gotten into music when I was a child I have no clue what I’d be doing right now. I’m not saying it’s not a hard journey but I’m blessed and I’m happy. I want to keep developing the right relationships with the right people and keep my integrity and to do what’s right without burning bridges.
NAJA: If you could be an instrument what would you be and who would play you?
Harry: Ha-ha—the obvious instrument would be a guitar-- Although guitars take so much abuse especially from someone like me. Nora jones is one.... Yes, Nora Jones and Janelle Monáe for sure!
NAJA: Are there any projects you’re currently working on?
Harry: Right now it’s about EP’s. Everyone is releasing EP’s. I’m working with artist Anna Moore. I’m trying to release some of her music really soon and I’m also working to release some of my own music. Nothing of with me singing ha-ha-- but some instrumentals people would like to listen to in their car and just vibe out to.
NAJA: Where can I go to hear Harry Wilson live!
Harry: If people want to hear Harry Wilson you have to come out to the Blockey on Tuesday nights usually around 9:00pm or 9:30pm and on Thursdays nights at Warm Daddy’s on Columbus boulevard we usually start around 8:00 or 8:30pm. Hidden Beach artist, Jeff Bradshaw and the group Brass Heaven which I play for. He will be releasing his album Bone Appetit soon. It’s going to be a double disk-- one side with all Jeff Bradshaw and the second disk introducing Brass Heaven. So on Thursdays nights it jumps in Warm Daddy’s! Come out and catch us.
NAJA: Are there any artist you’d like to work with in the future?
Harry: If I could work with Adele-- that would be so major. I have a lot of respect for women like her. This business can be a mess but to know that people can go out there and give good music, good product without having to be influenced by others is commendable. I love her for that. Artists should have the freedom to express themselves through their music without interruption.
Bennie Price
Appointed by the Honorable Judge Kevin M. Dougherty Administrative Judge of Philadelphia Family Court, Deputy Director of Philadelphia Juvenile Probation, Bennie E. Price is a man with many hats. If ever there is a story of progression Mr. Price’s story is just that. Literally from the bottom of the court house, Bennie Price has ascended to one of the highest appointment positions in the Philadelphia Juvenile Probation Department. During my time as a court liaison, I walked passed Bennie Price’s office often until I was finally introduced to him. At first it was small talk about the cases I had then I realized he was a movie buff like me and we would suggest movies to each other. In one of our sporadic conversations Bennie told me that he wasn’t a smart man at all.
“Dom, the only reason I’m at this desk is because I just couldn't’t get those X’s and Y’s.”
He joked about his difficulties with algebra in school. I laughed with him but in the back of my mind I thought, he had to be somewhat of a brilliant man to become the youngest appointed Deputy Director of the Philadelphia Juvenile Probation and this was my chance to find out exactly how!
NAJA: Bennie, tell me what you find as some of your greatest responsibilities as Deputy Director.
Price: One great responsibility that surmises everything that I do on a daily basis is “my job is to separate the good kid that got caught up in a bad way from the bad kid that I need to put away”.
NAJA: Wow, so do you believe that there are bad seeds or are their circumstances that arise that shape the children into bad decision makers?
Price: Eighteen years of being involved with juvenile probation in addition two years with the Devereux Foundation working with emotionally disturbed juveniles as a Therapeutic Counselor and two years with the Sleighton School working with delinquent juveniles as a Court Representative, that’s 22 years in working in Juvenile Justice. Circumstances, environment, upbringing or family--with all of these obstacles—poverty, education deprivation of course can make young people use poor judgment.
NAJA: What steps did you take to prepare yourself for your career?
Price: What you don’t know is that I started out in Philadelphia’s Family Court in the basement. I was working for Sleighton School. I was their Court Representative. My job was to transport the juveniles to and from court. I had to sit down in the basement and monitor juveniles while they were waiting to visit their probation officers, appear for court, meet with court personnel, and all other matters to resolve their court obligations. Working for Sleighton School allowed me to enter into the Juvenile Justice System and get a clear understanding of what the system was doing to attempt to treat or rehabilitate our young people. It also allowed me to be a part of the Philadelphia Juvenile Court system. The Honorable Abram Frank Reynolds became my mentor and hired me as a juvenile probation officer. He has dedicated his time to instill in me the values and compassion to be effective in this field. Also God placed a lot of caring people in my life from family to friends who have continued to support me.
NAJA: When you put it that way experience is the best preparation! What are some hurdles you’ve overcome in your career?
Price: The hurdles have been, keeping up with the forever changing Juvenile Justice System. With the serious nature of crimes juveniles are committing there has become a delicate balance of Child Welfare and Law Enforcement. We make every effort to provide each juvenile who walks through the doors of Philadelphia Family Court doors voluntarily or involuntarily an opportunity to become a productive member of his or her community with the resources we have available.
NAJA: Bennie, it seems as if your career was laid out for you—it’s so difficult for people to land in the career that they want. What type of future do you think Philadelphia’s youth have?
Price: I truly believe that there is a small population of young people who are committing the majority of the crimes. We spend a lot of time and resources focusing on those young people that are making the wrong decisions. Philadelphia has a vast majority of young people being productive members of their community who will have a better chance at having a bright future, unfortunately the attention is given to that young person or persons who chose not to abide by the rules and regulations our fore fathers have set forth. I believe these young people need committed Juvenile Justice Personnel to redirect them so that their future can also be bright.
NAJA: What are your hopes as a father for your children?
Price: I have one child, Brittney L. Price who is currently a freshman at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania which is my alma mater. I have always tried to give her the morals and values that are conducive to being a good person. I hope that she will be able to remember what she was taught as navigate through life. My hope is that she graduate from college and become successful. I once read that “Success is the ability to endure failure after failure without losing enthusiasm.” I have continued to tell her that she will appreciate “success,” if she works hard for it and overcoming any obstacles.
NAJA: If you had 24-hrs in any other profession/career what would it be?
Price: I would like to sit as a Philadelphia Family Court Delinquent Judge; I truly believe Philadelphia is very fortunate to have the caring judges we currently have. Sitting as a judge for 24 hours will give me the opportunity from a judicial side where I could have a much greater impact on a young person’s life by way of decision making.
NAJA: You have a lot going on in your professional life. When you’re not in a suit and tie what does Bennie Price like to do?
Price: I like spending time with family and friends which is very important to me. I really believe that I have some of the greatest friends in the world. I also like movies that are based on true events, documentaries, watching sports and world news. I am involved with little league flag football in the South Philadelphia area. I spend a lot of time involved with Cheyney University Delaware Alumni Chapter and with StompandClay Productions which have social events in Philadelphia and Washington DC.
NAJA: If you had the ears of Philadelphia’s youth listening to you at this moment what would you tell them?
Price: If I had the ears of Philadelphia’s youth I would encourage them to give respect like they demand others to give them and to be mindful that their negative action affects others. Society has rules that we all need to abide by and there are consequences for those that do not want to abide. Also, that education is very important and to take it seriously.
Written By: Dominique London
Photos done by: Nik C. Photography
Bennie Price Photo courtesy of Bennie Price
Harry Wilson Photo Courtesy of Harry Wilson