IF MY EYES COULD REWIND/The Real Richmond, CA. Story Copyright © 2013 by Rodney ̏Alamo˝ Brown http://www.rodneyalamobrown.com Publishers: Rodney ̏Alamo˝ Brown & James Farr Senior Managing Editor: Tracy Chriss Acquisitions: Melendy Butler Front & Back Cover Photo: Phillip Yi Cover Design and Book Layout: Teanna Ross, Kreative Eye Design Photos: Ellen Galling Contributing Editor: George Hocker Research Contributors:Ka’Dijah & Bianca Brown Creative Directors: Tunnel Vision LLC and Alamo Consulting Group Global. All rights reserved for use in a review. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, xerography, photocopy, recording or otherwise) without prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via internet or via any other means without permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. ISBN 978-0-988-451-2-1 Publishers:
80 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. #337 | Sierra Madre, CA. 91024 Ph: 626-818-6506 | Web: www.sepresource.com Printed in the United States of America
FOREWORD BY JAMES FARR
Table of Contents Acknowledgements..................................................................................................6 Foreword..................................................................................................................9 Preface.....................................................................................................................11 Chapter 1: Mac Donald Ave..................................................................................13
(Ryan Coogler 13, Devon Franklin 14, Conscious Daughters 15, Brian Shaw 16, Maurice Jones-Drew 17, Pierre Hudson 19, Daniel Bernstine 20, Salim Akil 22, Terrance Kelly 22, Byron Lars 24, Glenn Plummer 25)
Chapter 2: Cutting Blvd........................................................................................27 (Richmond and Tone Taleuga 27, Robert “Spider” Gaines 29, Joseph Pineda 30, La Perla’s Restaurant 31, Stephanie Turner Aldridge 32, Dale Sveum 33, Dr. Plik Plok 34, James Farr 37, Arielle Washington 38, Dr. Desmond Carson 39, Dee Miller 40, McKinley Williams 41, Sylvester Greenwood 43, Joe Watson 44)
Chapter 3: Barrett Ave...........................................................................................45 (Maceo Grant 45, Elijah Jerry “Pumpsie” Green 46, Chris Hicks 47, Todd Spencer 48, Eric “EQ” Young 50, Charonda Williams 51, Bisa French 53, Rico Crowder 54, Richmond CA. Pony Baseball 56, Shea Suga 56, Percy Robert Miller AKA Master P 58, Kelita Smith 60, Steven Christian 62)
Chapter 4: Alamo St./Fred Jackson Way.............................................................63 (Benny Barnes 63, Black Panther Party 65, Gonzalo Rubcobo 67, Kelssie Sontay 69, Chris Farr 70, Willie McGee 71, Rodney “Harm From Da Rich” Waller 73, Gayle McLaughlin 75, Joe Simon 76, Darrin Harris 78, Andre Bean 79, Charmaine Bassett 80, Johnny Holmes & Maria Wilcots 82)
Chapter 5: Richmond Heights/Richmond Annex................................................84 (Aaron Prier 84, Daniel Dugar 84, Sam Bostic 85, Andre Williams 85, Andrew Vessel 85, Chuck Jacobs 86, Courtland Booze 86, Chris Singleton 86, D’Marco Farr 87, Darryl Miles 88, George D. Carrol 88, Irma Anderson 88, James Langford 89, Kenny Daniel 89, Locksmith 90, Mike Felder 91, Nat Bates 91, Redge Green 92, Ramon Gooden 92, Te’Reisha Graves 93, The Yates Brothers & Sisters 93, De Anna Calhoun 94, Betty Reid Soskin 94)
Chapter 6: In Loving Memory.......................................................................95 (Fred Jackson 95, Gary Bell 95, Charles Reid 99, Ted Smith 100, George Livingston 101, Travis Williams 103, Johnny Castaneda 103, James “Pops” Mitchell 103, City of Richmond, California 104)
Acknowledgements First giving honor to God for giving me this vision and gift to produce this great collection of Richmond, California’s rich history. Shalom. I extend my thanks to Mr. James Farr who placed his valuable collection of knowledge and information at my disposal, and Mr. George Hocker for working patiently with me to complete the editing and formatting of this book. I acknowledge with thanks the kindness of SEP Publishing Resources Company for producing this historical collection. I also would like to extend my warmest gratitude to Ellen Galling for the beautiful photos of our city. I extend thanks to Ka’Dijah Brown for her exceptional insight and Bianca Brown for her research and valuable input. I also extend my thanks to Mr. Berth Owens and Steve Alameda for your life stories and encouragement. I also wish to acknowledge the courtesy of the following people: NaJari Smith, Karen Seneferu, De Angelo Gallon, Meghan Hazen, Courtney Torress, Tanisha Torress, Garice Tate, Ikeem Merriweather, Timiza Joesph, Micheal C. Durham, Leroy Thomas, Patricia Farr, Dante Clemente, Rosalind Logwood, Richard Palmer, Patrice Palmer, Micheal Mc Clelland, Darrell Hampton, George Parham, Trish Tyes, Benard Lee, Lisa Hopson, Robin Trial, C Moe, Mike Blue, Ryan Glover, Tanja Pittman, Lester Merdith, Demond King, Chris Gomez, Carrie Smith, Delon Jackson, Kelly Woods, Rod Campbell, Mark Rayon, Pumpkin Rayon, Iris Mc Morris, Monique Mc Morris, Marcelle Lowery, Kevin Whitaker, Brian Lewis, Dave Lewis, Joe Lewis, Eric Burton, Jose Lopez, Tony Flores, Nio Flores, Troy Castaneda, Elaine Brown, Antionio Jones, Tianna Drisker, Angie Bee, Slyvester Bradford, Alan Foster, Lashray Wright, Antionett Marie Roark-Erby Arlinda Timmons , Steve Harris, Tenisha Brandy, Bette Ferguson, Tasha Walker, Joe McCoy, Donnell Jones, Charles Newsome, Sal Garcia, Othree Christian, Kevin McClure, Erica Jordan, Da Vonne Bogan, Eddie Russell, Chris Magnus, Robert Rodgers, Dee Wizzard, 6
Acknowledgements Aloha Hype, Phillip Yi, Track Baby, Wild Will, Darryl Hollinquest, Linda Schnieder, Jada Bernstine, Renee Lesley, Uyunda Thompson, Thomas Gary, Thomas Silva, Andrea Meridith, Jaeson Jackson, Kevin Leslie, Dene Bugsby, Gary Logwood, Octavia Taylor, Sonya Beaver, Gloria Ling Ling, Heidi Jenkins, Keith Davis, Jacob Williams, Lamar Mac, Shango Da Don Ragga, Katrina Byrd, Juanna Thomas, Sonya Smith, Brian Boltwood, George Bouie, Cubie Finley, Andre Moreno, Shawna Morefield, Adam Sandler, Paulette Green, Barbra Green, Jewell Grisham, Raquel Saurez, Da Vina Teasley, Tina Harris, JoAnn Ford, Pamela Johnson, Sammy Bernstine, Bump Bernstine, Jessica Hawley, Charles Chedda Williams, Robert Hines, Garland Harris, Terrance T-Qron, Wainae Majah, Linda Brown-Carr, Trina Simboop, Debra Owens, Michelle Pollard, Temaka Washington, Tina Graham, Leticia Taylor-Brown, Ellen Pippins, Shalanda White, Jerry White, Tony Brown, Patrick Robinson, Doria Robinson, Jo Vanka Beckles, Keith Jefferson, Serina Godfrey, Kevin Lesley, Tracee Turner, Dennine Henderson , Lezlie Cannon, Toni Evans, Trina Burnside, Charlene Handy, Rod Campbell,Camille Branch, Nizam Pierre, Kelvin Jones, Ben Freeman, Minkah Hall, John Diaz, Tony Sadler, Sean Smith, Keith Lynch, Lloyd Hill, Mike Van Hook, Samatha Van Hook, Micheal Thomas, Tiffany Brown, Tina Williams, Len Williams, Shonda Dilehunt, Dieonne Jackson, Deshon Wilcox, Dede Turner, Brenda Thomas, Fred Williams, Katrina Chappell-Williams, Peppy Timmons, Daniel Masamoto, Joel William Morris, Guy Mannerrino, Mike Keck, Aaron Heredia, Craig Jensen, Larry Price, Armani White, Armon Brown, Virginia Waters, Sean Prier, Justin Baptiz, Troy Porter, Gearld Baptiste, Don Wilson, Darcell Purefoy, Paulette Greene, Cookie Green, Fernanda Bejarano Mendoza, Mike Roy, Kenneth Grace, Irvin Lincoln, Henry Lincoln, Patrick Foster, Laura Hall, Val Estes, Lisha Holmes, Raquel Hardin, Shelly K. Robinson, Damon Evans, Linda Bradford, Monica Holmes, Thomas Marc Gandy, Sara Witt, Veronica Taylor, James “Sonny” Graves, Janet Jackson, Denise (Didi) Delinea, Mary Buffett, Peter Buffett, Ericka Buffett-Lull,Nicole Buffett,Ernest Egu,Kevin Davis, Irvin Duncan, Justin Baptiz,Jason Burnett, Khanisi Norwood,Hattie Wilson Brown, Kim Clay, LeiAnn Witt, Willie Johnson, Rico Crowder, Byron White, Tina Brown, Larry Plummer, Sean Wilkes, William H. Coleman III,Pooh Hefner,Mistah Fab,Too Short,Kelley Roberson, Tony Gilliam,Dionne Stowers,Georgia Lynn Stevenson, Donald Slim Patterson, Vern Patterson, Dena Mc Kinney, Damon Evans, Jody Hines, Marzetta Robertson, Shawnda
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Acknowledgements Fields, Tammy Hines, Bertha Spencer, Marcus Thompson, Jay King, Earl E-40 Stevens, Laz Da Boy, James Langford Jr., Joe Lewis, Carson Smith, Carlos Davis, George Boatwright, Thomas Gary, Henry Washington, Landrin Kelly, Jerry White, Curtis Witt, Jerimiah Jones, Vernardo Blake, Kenny Melgoza, Terrance “T-DUB� Leonard, Cheryl Hancook, La Verne Vaughn, Marvin Saucer, Riley Moore, Ramon Aguilar, Jerry Anderson, Mike Pertiz, Anthony Creer, Reginald Mixon, Terry Mithcell, Engo Rodgers, Paul Muhamad, Ahmad Anderson, Karl Milton, Karla Milton, Shawnda Hawkins, Arnada Hawkins, Renee West, Perdo Cargle, Montreece Allen, Mario Lee, Karl Kitchen, Marlyn Payden, Mac Donald Barber Shop, Owens Barber Shop, Marcus Thompson, Ervin Roquemore, Brandon Pineda, James Ruiz, Pamela Bilbo-Saucer, Alama Crowder, Peter Hewitt, and Mike Peritz. I dedicate this book to my beautiful mother Gracie J. Brown, my father Samuel Brown, my sisters Tina M. Harrison and Samantha C. Brown, my nephew Eddie Harrison, my grandparents Lula Jacobs, James Jacobs, Carrie Brown and John I. Brown, Michelle Baptiste-Brown, Saritha Jones, the Jacobs Family, the Shields family,Timothy Cook, Stacy Marshall, Mario Vargas, Terrance Martin, the State of Hawaii, all of the residents of The Richmond Townhouses, Pullman Point, and the entire City Of Richmond, California, Shalom.
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Foreword If My Eyes Could Rewind: The Real Richmond, California Story is a long overdue pictorial tribute to my hometown. It stands as a vivid montage of figures that overcame blighted circumstances and gave others behind them a chance to move forward triumphantly. As I myself look back today, I see enmeshed in my heart and inextricably bound to my hustle, the city of Richmond, California. Recalling the past endows us not only with a sense of place and purpose, but of possibility and pride. Opportunity, especially in the inner-city, is too often cloaked in invisibility. Simply put, you cannot be what you cannot see. An effort to so comprehensively document the figures and families that put Richmond on the map functions as more than an exercise in local history. It is a practice that will afford present and future generations’ access to the ties that bind, so that they may ideally be able to conceive, believe, and achieve even greater heights than their predecessors. Furthermore, it’s often necessary to go back before you can properly go forward. If we don’t know where we came from, the road to our destiny can be fraught with pitfalls. However, an understanding of and appreciation for these hometown heroes who have forged a path where there was none replace peril with possibility. When Rodney “Alamo” Brown approached me for this project, we both decided it was finally time to give a face to the place that I carry with me always. To be able to come up and give back in such a capacity is an investment whose returns multiply exponentially. The rich tapestry contained within represents a varied genealogy, a lineage of people who have dedicated themselves to excellence rather than settle for mediocrity. The names contained herein weren’t simply products of their environment, but made their environment a product of them. This
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Foreward reciprocal give and take and give is what makes Richmond, CA so special. Beyond the urban blight that so typically plagues inner-city communities is an unmistakable entrepreneurial drive and uncommon ambition that envelops Richmond. The abundance of talent, composed of leaders, politicians, promoters, athletes, and entertainers alike have pulled as they have pushed, offering their expertise and insight to those who have come up behind them. To cast a spotlight on Richmond, the city to which I am indebted for an indomitable will and industrious spirit is to say thank you to city elders, totemic and foundational figures of my youth that stood as paragons of virtue. These local legends are unique amalgamations of both college and street knowledge. In Richmond, this particular urban savvy that is endemic to oppressive circumstances combines with cosmopolitan sensibilities while remaining rooted in community. In the following pages, a profound collection of profiles are interconnected by a community where it’s not always about the gain, but the give back. Cementing a legacy to pass on to the youth of Richmond today makes concrete the abstract notions of possibility that are often lost on young ears. The wealth of talent birthed by Richmond knows no bounds and intersects with varied spheres ranging from politics to the pulpit, from entertainment to the arts, and beyond. It is my hope, through this project to at once pay homage and make visible the viability of change, so that future generations may see what is possible. If My Eyes Could Rewind is an appropriate and fitting homage to the prominence of Richmond pioneers and is a veritable Who’s Who of interconnected destinies, all of whom are dedicated to Richmond, California. JAMES FARR
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Preface As a young boy growing up in Richmond, California I endured a life driven between hardships and harsh realities. As a resident of the Richmond Townhouses (GLOBETOWN), a 270-unit, low-income housing project, I witnessed violence, cocaine and other illicit drug dealings on a daily basis. My mother, Gracie Brown, was a member of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense and continuously reminded me that if I were to engage in the illegal drug trade, she would disown me. My father, Samuel Brown, was an outstanding football player at Berkeley High School. He garnered a full scholarship to Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. His career was cut short due to a horrible knee injury that immediately thrust him into the workforce. In 1985, he suffered a fatal heart attack as a result of his exploration with crack cocaine. Growing up fatherless, I became angry at the world and everything in it. Shortly after my father’s death, my dreams of being a rapper were coming to fruition. After an audition in San Francisco, CA, at Billionaire Investor Warren Buffet’s son Peter’s house, I was enthralled and fascinated with a real recording studio. Peter was so impressed with my talent he insisted I record more tunes free of charge. At the tender age of 17, I founded my own record label Globetown Records with the help of fellow Richmond, CA natives Ramon Avellar, Marvin Saucer and Sonny Graves. As the first Richmond resident to produce and record a rap song on vinyl 12 inch, I composed a song entitled “The Task Force.” I spoke about the activities that surrounded me on a daily basis while residing in the Townhouses. Many cold nights I would gather material for my songs on the dope track of Pullman Avenue. During my investigations, one particular individual stood out as a larger than life figure in my sights - Irvin “Fresh Money” Duncan, a staunch revolutionary who was an intelligent and caring individual who happened to be addicted to drugs. Several nights he and I would have fireside
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Preface chats on the dope track discussing various topics from religion to economics. Over the years, he became a friend, mentor and father-figure to me. Before his untimely demise in 1987, he told me, “Never become a product of your environment let your environment become a product of you.” In 1991, Richmond, CA. experienced a significant incline in murders; a record 61 homicides were astounding for a city with a population of only 82,000 residents – which was the highest murder rate for any city in the United States. As the drug trade began to take its toll on the city, so too did the residual effects of Proposition 13. From 2004-2009, Richmond was designated as the deadliest city in California. In 2009, the city made worldwide headlines when the media converged upon Richmond High School to cover a tragic rape case. In 2003, after a 12-year bout with alcohol, I found myself staring death in the face when I was admitted to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. My three days in the hospital opened my eyes to reality – life is too short to not live long. Two years after my discharge, I was blessed to move to Hawaii. While in Hawaii, I began to get closer to nature by taking hiking trips to my favorite waterfall (Manoa Falls) where I would sit and meditate with only GOD’s voice to hear and abide to. During my meditation, I came to the realization that the world does not know that people are great until those people produce great accomplishments, and I made a decision to reveal the true greatness of Richmond, CA by writing a book that reveals the wonderful accomplishments of its many residents – young and old, male and female. The people of Richmond have managed to achieve greatness against all odds. This book is a tribute to them. My daughters have been a true staple and motivation in my life. In the month of May 2013, I attended my oldest daughter Ka’ Dijah’s graduation from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. A proud father witnessed a Richmond product receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of Psychology. After leaving North Carolina, returning to the Bay Area, I received more exciting news as my youngest daughter, Bianca, an accomplished vocalist and 3.67 GPA student at The Oakland School for the Arts, has high hopes of accepting a Scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. RODNEY “ALAMO” BROWN 12
Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One Ryan Coogler, a Richmond, California native (born 1986) is an American film director and screenwriter. His first feature film (Fruitvale Station) won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Coogler is based in Richmond, California. He attended Saint Mary’s College of California on a football scholarship. After Saint Mary’s canceled its football program, he received another scholarship to attend Sacramento State, where he majored in finance and took film classes. He then attended USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he made a series of short films. While attending USC, Coogler directed three award-winning short films: Locks (Tribeca Film Festival, Dana and Albert Broccoli Award for Filmmaking Excellence), Gap (Jack Nicholson Award for Achievement in Directing), and Fig (HBO Short Filmmaking Award, DGA Student Filmmaker Award). His first feature-length film, Fruitvale (later retitled Fruitvale Station)
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One tells the story of the last 24 hours in the life of Oscar Grant - who was shot to death by a police officer at Oakland’s Fruitvale BART station on January 1, 2009. After the film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film, The Weinstein Company acquired the distribution rights for approximately $2 million US dollars. The film has been selected to compete in the Un-Certain Regard section at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Devon Franklin, a Richmond, California native is a studio executive at the forefront of Hollywood’s hit machine. He currently serves as Vice President of Production for Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment - making him one of the youngest individuals in that position in the industry. Franklin is married to Hollywood actress Meagan Goode. “The temptations in this industry are never what people traditionally think. When you’re in a high stakes/high pressure business, your ambition gets the best of you,” says Devon. “So I stayed prayed-up and kept people around me to focus.” On production sets, Devon, a 7th Day Adventist is adamant about unplugging his life at sunset every Friday until Saturday at sunset to study his 14
Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One Bible, attend church, etc. “I have put my faith front and center for everyone to see…..not only has relying on my faith not harmed my career prospects, it has actually enhanced them,” says Devon. His latest production (Jumping The Broom) is a comedy about a wedding ceremony that forces two families to get along. The movie, distributed by Sony, was produced by T.D. Jakes, drew in $15.3 million the first weekend, and landed as the weekend’s number 3 movie and number 1 comedy.
The Conscious Daughters (TCD) was an American female rap duo from Richmond, California. The duo consisted of Carla “CMG” Green and the late Karryl “Special One” Smith. In 1993 the duo signed on to Paris’s record label (Scarface Records) after passing him a demo tape at a club. They released their first studio album, Ear to the Street. The single and video release of their 1994 hit single, Somethin’ to Ride To (Fonky Expedition), helped TCD gain national recognition. Soon after, they were signed by Priority/EMI Records and released their second album, Gamers. Many collaborations, projects and television appearances followed. Most notably Rap City, MTV Jams, and Soul Train.
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One In 2007, Nas released the trac, Where Are They Now (West Coast Remix) which featured Breeze, Kam, King Tee, Candyman, Threat, Ice-T, Sir Mix-ALot and TCD. Their third album (The Nutcracker Suite) was released on Guerilla Funk Records on February 10, 2009. In 2010, TCD severed their relationship with Guerrilla Funk Records, and in 2011 they signed a distribution deal with Phaseone/Sony. On December 10, 2011, Smith was found dead at her home. Initially, the cause of death was unknown, but it was eventually determined to be from complications associated with blood clots that reached her lungs.
Brian Shaw, current Denver Nuggets Head Coach, grew up in Richmond, California and played basketball with other basketball stars such as Antonio Davis, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, and Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell. He attended Westlake Middle School, and then Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland. He also attended St. Mary’s College of California for his freshman and sophomore years of college, and then transferred to UC Santa Barbara for his junior and senior seasons. In his senior year, he was named Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) player of the year, as he led the Gauchos to their 16
Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One first ever NCAA tournament berth. He was taken with the 24th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1988 NBA Draft. In 1988, Shaw signed a one year contract with the Celtics. In 1989, Shaw signed a two-year contract to play with an Italian team, II Messenger Roma. At the end of January 1990, Shaw signed a 5 year deal with the Celtics. In June of that year, Shaw told the Celtics he planned to play for II Messenger during the 1990 season. The ensuing contract dispute, Boston Celtics vs. Brian Shaw - which Shaw lost, became a relatively famous sports law case and is read in many law school contracts classes. During his NBA career, he played for the Celtics, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He was a member of four squads that made NBA Finals appearances: the 1995 Magic and the 2000, 2001, and 2002 Lakers (with the Laker teams all winning championships). He also played for the U.S. national team in the 1986 FIBA World Championship, winning the gold medal. Shaw hit a key 3-point basket in the waning moments of the gold medal game vs. the USSR that the U.S. won by 2 points. While a member of the Heat, on April 8, 1993, Shaw hit a then NBA record ten 3-point field goals (out of 15 attempts) against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center, finishing with 32 points. Starting in 1994, he was one-half of the popular “Shaw-Shaq Redemption” (named after The Shaw Shank Redemption), an alley-oop from Shaw to Shaquille O’Neal that was popular with fans in both Orlando and Los Angeles (Shaw and O’Neal were also Laker teammates). In an interview with The Miami Herald in 2007, O’Neal claimed that the teammate he had most respected in his career was Shaw. Maurice Jones-Drew, a Richmond, California native was born in Oakland, CA. His name at birth was Maurice Christopher Drew. He graduated from De La Salle High School in Concord, CA. De La Salle owns the longest winning streak in H.S. football history at 151 games. The football teams he played on never lost a single game during his 3 year career. He was an elusive, high-scoring running back, return specialist on offense, and a punishing linebacker on defense. He also played 4 official college games as a cornerback. Jones-Drew somersaulted into the national consciousness on Oct. 6, 2001, when, as a junior, he scored all four of De La Salle’s touchdowns in a 29-15 nationally-televised victory over Long Beach Poly in the first game that ever matched up the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked H.S. football teams. On the Spartan’s opening drive, Jones-Drew received a short pass in
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One the right flat on third-and-eight from the Poly 25 yard line. He broke a tackle and sprinted down the right sideline before launching a spectacular forward somersault into the end zone. Drew next scored on a 29 yard reception on fourth down in which he ran a circle route out of the backfield down the left sideline and hauled in an over-the-shoulder touch pass at the goal line from quarterback Matt Gutierrez. Drew’s third touchdown came in the second quarter when he burst through the line, shook off two tacklers, before hitting pay dirt 17 yards later. Drew’s final score salted away the historic De La Salle victory. It was a similar effort to his third touchdown and came on a 22 yard run with just under 7 minutes remaining. Drew finished with nine carries for 86 yards and three catches for another 79 yards. During his junior season, Jones-Drew rushed for nearly 2000 yards, averaged nearly 12 yards per carry, and scored 26 touchdowns. He was rated the No. 1 all-purpose back in the nation by rivals.com. He is pictured outrunning a slew of defenders on the cover of the book (When the Game Stands Tall) which chronicles the De La Salle Spartan’s all-time-record 151 game winning streak. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played for the Bruins under head coach Karl Dorrell from 2003 to 2005. Despite being undersized, Jones-Drew led the Bruins in rushing all three years he was on the squad, and showed good pass catching ability and big playmaking skills as both a punt and kickoff returner. He was the fifth player in Bruins history to lead the team in rushing in three seasons. In 2005, Jones-Drew set an all-time NCAA single-season record with a 28.5 yards per return average on 15 punt returns. His career average of 23.2 yards per punt return ranks second in NCAA history.
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One Pierre Hudson, a Richmond, California native is the proud owner of EllaEm’s, Las Vegas’s best soul food restaurant. Ella Rea Gray was born on January 20, 1913 in Clay County, Mississippi. She was the oldest daughter of Jennie Lou Davidson and John Gray. With segregation at its peak, the Gray family sought solace and togetherness through love, laughter and of course - cooking. Ella Rea kept her head in the books completing her 9th grade education when the average grade for African-Americans at that time was 3rd grade. She was just as steadfast in learning the ingredients in the meals prepared by her mother. Her down home cooking is filled with soulful grace. Every bite is an adventure - a tender reminder of yesterday. She learned early that fresh ingredients, patience, and soul are the keys to preparing good meals. Her mother would say to her, “Take your time and make it with care, and before you eat, say a prayer.” These recipes and words of wisdom were passed on to Ella Rea and in turn they were passed down through generations to family and close friends. Aem Upachak is the granddaughter-in-law of Mrs. Ella Rea Gray. Aem coming from a Asian-Pacific heritage was already an excellent cook in her native cuisine and was longing to learn how to cook “Soul Food”. Pierre, Ella Rea’s grandson and Aem decided to open a restaurant, and with the blessing of Ella Rea, ELLAEM’S was born. The only thing we ask is that you “Take your time and indulge with care, and before you eat, say a prayer.”
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One
Daniel Bernstine of Richmond, California came to Portland State University at a time when the University had accepted its urban mission and identity, but had yet to figure what this meant and what an urban mission entailed. He brought the University and the community together to define the nature and scope of the partnership. He leaves behind a University at ease with its mission and sure of its future and destiny. This future includes well-regarded programs in fields as diverse as urban planning, social work, publishing, and Nano science. The University has earned numerous awards for the role community service plays in its curriculum. Its international education has resulted in pioneering relationships in the Middle East, China, and Vietnam, as well as a nearly 50 percent increase in international enrollment since 1999. Research funding during Bernstine’s tenure grew from $17 million to $40 million annually. PSU’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign brought in $114 million, exceeding the original goal by $24 million. “Working with partners in the city, the state and the private sector, Dan presided over a construction boom that included the Native American Center, the Urban Center and Plaza, innovative ‘green’ student housing, and a new engineering building housing the Maseeh College of Engineering,” says George Pernsteiner, Oregon University System chancellor. But Bernstine’s 20
Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One most enduring contribution may be access and opportunity for students, which has resulted in enrollment of more than 25,000 students, making PSU the largest university in the state. “Dan Bernstine shares my commitment to providing access to higher education for all Oregonians - giving many of our citizens the opportunity to educate themselves and to make a lasting impact on our state,” says Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. With characteristic modesty, Bernstine is quick to point out he did not succeed at PSU without the help of many. “I took advantage of a great administrative team and momentum that was already under way,” he says. But he is obviously confident in his path and by forging new connections has elevated Portland State’s stature and promise, ensuring its prominent role in the future of Oregon.
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One Salim Akil and wife Mara Brock Akil Richmond, California natives first began their career in 1994, writing for the critically acclaimed but shortlived Fox series South Central. In 1999, Mara served as supervising producer and writer on The Jamie Foxx Show after writing for Moesha for four seasons. In 2000, Brock Akil created and executive produced (along with Kelsey Grammer) another UPN series Girlfriends. She also created and executive produced the spin-off series The Game. In June 2007, Brock Akil and her husband signed to The Weinstein Co. Their first project under the new pact will be a film about a woman who starts a business to investigate the mates of high-powered women after she herself is left at the altar. Mara Brock Akil will write the screenplay and Salim Akil will direct, reports Variety. The pair’s Happy Camper Productions banner will produce. In 2009, Brock Akil became a consulting producer and writer for the ABC suburban sitcom Cougar Town. In 2012, Brock Akil became a producer and writer for BET’s Being Mary Jane. She married television director Salim Akil in 1999. She and her husband are practicing Sufi Muslims. They have two sons; Yasin Brock Akil, born in 2007, and Nasir Brock Akil, born in November 2009.
Terrance Kelly (TK), a Richmond, California native was still in diapers when he went to live with his grandmother, Bevelyn Kelly, and his father in 22
Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One their home on Florida Avenue in Richmond. Bevelyn Kelly had already raised her four children mostly on her own, and had helped raise several nephews and nieces when she took custody of Terrance. Although Kelly was an only child, he learned to share and get along with others at the day care center run by his grandmother. Landrin Kelly, who played baseball and football at Berkeley High and then at Kennedy High in Richmond, said his son needed no prodding when it came to sports. “It started with T-ball when he was 4, and he never looked back -- he was good at every sport he played,” Kelly said. “I always thought he would be a better baseball player. But he picked football.” Terrance Kelly played catcher on a youth baseball team that toured China. But he was a bigger star in football, starting with the Richmond Steelers. He played running back and linebacker and won state championships in the Pop Warner leagues. He wanted to go to St. Mary’s or Salesian for high school -- where his friends were headed. But his grandmother wanted him to go to De La Salle, a suburban all-boys school, 28 miles to the east that seemed a world away from the Iron Triangle. At De La Salle, Kelly excelled at baseball and football, but hit some rough patches in the classroom. When other teens in his neighborhood were going out at night and hanging out on street corners, he usually stayed home and studied -- often under the watchful eyes of his grandmother and father. “In 2006, TK’s death hurt the whole City of Richmond,” Mayor Irma Anderson said. “Here was a young man who did everything right, and still lost his life through no fault of his own. His family did everything they could to protect Terrance Kelly, and he still lost his life. It’s just tragic.”
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One Byron Lars, a Richmond, California native started designing under his own clothing label in 1991 with a small collection of sportswear focusing on what Lars refers to as “twisted American classics.” In 2012, Lars designed dresses for Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richards-Ross, Carmelita Jeter, and Allyson Felix. First Lady Michelle Obama wore a dress from Lars’s Beauty Mark line to the 2011 Commemoration Ceremony, and in a portrait of the First Family. Lars is a graduate of El Cerrito High School, Brooks College, and Fashion Institute of Technology. Taking inspiration from such unlikely sources as his grandfather’s hunting jacket, Byron has been known to crossbreed it with a “Dior New Look” proportion to create a Duchess of Windsor meets Field and Stream hybrid. Taking a men’s cotton dress shirt, and then distorting it to the point of resembling a Dorothy Lamour sarong, has become Byron’s trademark. “When edgy fashion is steeped in something familiar, it becomes far less alienating to the consuming public,” says Lars. After only his second season in business, Women’s Wear Daily hailed Byron as “Rookie of the Year.” His line was immediately snapped up by such prestigious retailers as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s, as well as one hundred other specialty stores throughout the U.S., along with some distribution in the U.K. and France. “I saw it a few days ago and was blown out of the water,” exclaims Kal Ruttenstein, senior vice president and fashion director of Bloomingdale’s - referring to the premier fall collection of Lars. He has the freshest point of view of all the young American designers. Byron’s range of designs became most apparent in his Seventh on Sixth runway presentations, in which he created accessories as mere fashion show props, only to attract the attention of licensees in handbags, furs and hats. His notoriety also led to designing a limited edition of apparel for Mattel Barbie dolls. He has designed custom clothes for Barbie dolls since 1997. By the contractual end of his licensees, Byron chose to direct his energy away from the designer collection and focus on a contemporary line and pricing structure. “I wanted it to be more about the clothes and less about the ‘hype’,” says Lars. This redirection was the beginning of “Byron Lars Beauty Mark.” Initially a cotton Lycra shirting based offering, Beauty Mark took its cue from the shirts and shirt dresses of the previous collection that put the designer on the map (only this time, without the lofty price point). Since its inception, Beauty Mark has enjoyed eight years of success and is now expanding its product line to include knits, sportswear, and dresses in addition to the chic and sexy shirts for which the line is highly sought. 24
Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One
Glenn E. Plummer (born August 18, 1961) is an American film and television actor. Plummer was born in Richmond, California. He has appeared in numerous films and television series, primarily in supporting roles or small bit parts, such as High Top in Colors. His prominent roles came in the films Menace II Society, Speed, Bones, Showgirls, South Central, The Day After Tomorrow, The Salton Sea and Saw II. He was offered the role of Jesse in Riding the Bus. 1987 – Who’s That Girl/Harlem Kid #1, 1987 – Hands of a Stranger/Willy Johnson, 1988 – Funny Farm/Mickey, 1988 – Colors/Clarence “High Top” Brown, 1989 - 84C MoPic/Radio Voice, 1990 – Downtown/ Valentine, 1991 – Pastime/Tyrone Devray, 1992 – South Central/Bobby, 1992 – Trespass/Luther, 1993 – Menace II Society/Pernell, 1994 – Speed/Maurice (credited as “Jaguar Owner”, not named until Speed 2), 1995 – Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead Baby Sinister, 1995 – Showgirls/James Smith, 1995 – Strange Days/Jeriko One, 1996 – The Substitute/Mr. Darrell Sherman, 1996 - Up Close & Personal/Ned Jackson, 1997 – Speed 2: Cruise Control/Maurice, 1997 – One Night Stand/George, 1998 – Heist/Dipper, 1998 – Thursday/Ice, 2000 – Rangers/Shannon, 2001 – Knight Club/T-Dog, 2001 – 100 Kilos/’Freeway’ Ricky Ross, 2001 – Three Blind Mice/Warren Chambers, 2002 – The Salton Sea/Bobby, 2002 – Poolhall Junkies/Chico,
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Mac Donald Avenue Chapter One 2003 – Gang of Roses/Johnny Handsome, 2003 – Road Dogs aka Road Kings/ Panther, 2004 – The Day After Tomorrow/Luther, 2005 – Saw II /Jonas, 2005 – VooDoo Curse: The Giddeh/Professor Jenkins, 2005 – Brothers in Arms/ Curly, 2007 – King of Hollywood, 2008 – The Longshots/Winston, 2009 – Janky Promoters/Officer Ronnie Stixx, 2010 - Ca$h/Glen The Plumber, 2011 Showgirls 2: Penny’s from Heaven/James Smith, Television: 1993- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air- Top Dog (One episode); 1989- Women of Brewster Place Glenn - CC Baker; 1994-2007 – ER – Desk clerk Timmy Rawlins (recurring character); 1995 Lawless (TV series); 2000 – The Corner (TV mini-series) – George “Blue” Epps; 2008-2009 - Sons of Anarchy - Vic Trammel; 2012 Southland - Daryl “D” Miller.
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