Ronald "Kwesi" Harris, Renowned College Advisor, Dies At 56

UPDATE: 
Visitation will be Friday, June 24, 2016 at Leak & Sons Funeral Home (18400 S. Pulaski, Country Club Hills, IL) 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

A public memorial will be held Saturday, June 25, 2016 at the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center on the campus of Chicago State University. 

You may enter at 95th and St. Lawrence or 99th and King Drive. 

10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. (Early arrival is encouraged) 

Source: The Family's Official Page 
   
He was committed to creating new opportunities for black males on Chicago's South Side.

Ronald "Kwesi" Harris, 56, director of the African-American Male Resource Center at Chicago State University, passed away after a battle with cancer. Known as "Baba Kwesi" to his students, family, and friends, the energetic Harris worked tirelessly to improve academic possibilities for countless men of color. 

Born and raised in Chicago, Harris became a successful product of the public school system. He graduated from Simeon Vocational High School in 1977 and completed a Bachelor's degree program at Central State University in 1981. 

(Ronald "Kwesi" Harris speaks to 2CN (now Big Zack TV) in 2011)

Ayesha Jaco, Lupe Fiasco, and Ronald Kwesi Harris

Baba Kwesi's work attracted the attention of big names in entertainment-- including rapper Lupe Fiasco and TV actor John Marshall Jones ("Smart Guy"). In fact, Lupe Fiasco dedicated song lyrics of "Mission" to Baba Kwesi in 2014.
  
For this writer, "Baba Kwesi" was an influential source of encouragement. He invited me to film news segments when the university still preferred larger media outlets to film on campus. He would compare my media outlet to "CNN" because he supported young men who dreamed. 

What consoles me is that Baba Kwesi changed the world. He fought to turn his institution into "The Chicago State University". Because of his works, black men with the greatest challenges were able to able to achieve great triumphs. 

Baba Kwesi will be missed. However, his work continues. He planted a seed in so many of his supporters that will grow into fruits of his legacy. 

Rest well. 

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Overlooked Actors, Vol 1: The Cool Guys

If you're tired of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Steve Harvey starring in every movie or TV show-- you are not alone. There are thousands of overlooked, under appreciated actors who deserve an international spotlight. Unfortunately, the entertainment business has a Catch-22: you need experience to get work but you can't find work without previous experience. 

Thankfully, I have noticed a few men who found a way around the Catch 22 by creating their own opportunities.

(Don't worry, ladies. I will profile my favorite female actors in the next post.) 

JAS ANDERSON
(Follow him on Facebook) 


Check out his demo reel:




Anderson is one of my favorite "overlooked" actors. I enjoyed his work on the hit web series, "For Colored Boys". From there, he has landed roles on "Law & Order: SVU" , and "Blue Bloods". 
While I dislike seeing him play characters who are always thugs, prisoners, or rappers, I admire his tenacity and stage presence. He delivers great monologues and will eventually land an award-winning role one day. 

SHAUN VAN PRUDE
(Follow him on Facebook)

As a product of the U.S. Military, Shaun Van Prude embodies strong values that can help him in other fields-- including acting. 

Prude is a versatile actor who can play a variety of roles and works well with directors. Yet, Prude faces the same challenge as Anderson above: the temptation of giving in to "typecasting". Due to his height (6'4) and inner-city background, some casting directors might see him only as a detective or an athlete.  
Fortunately, he knows how to produce his own YouTube videos and creates his own images.  

Check out this monologue that I wrote for him:  





MICHAEL MAPONGA
(Follow him on Facebook) 

Michael Maponga is putting his own twist on "The American Dream". He was born in Zimbabwe but grew up in Texas. Now, he is trying to bring the best of both worlds together to reach large audiences. 

Maponga's work ethic is incredible. In addition to acting, he is an entrepreneur. His current project, AfroLandTV, is expected to be a Netflix-type entertainment source. 

Check out his comedy audition tape below: 




 




Stay tuned for Overlooked Actors, Vol 2: Wonderful Women -- a profile of some amazing female actresses.

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