Trentonian TV Production Notes: Tyrone Miller Show Episode 10

TRENTON -- What you see above is the official "Occupy" video by rapper Marcus Love and Brooklyn sax whiz Rogerst Charles. We'll explain why it's there as well as the connection Trenton native Tia Leonard has to the video in a few minutes.

But first ... my goodness, another excellent, funny, informative outing by Tyrone and, he became the third Trentonian TV host to bust into double figures with his 10th episode. He welcomed Tia Leonard (aka Suga GP) and Tashanna Ellis, and we'll start with Tashanna because her story is one of heartbreak and hope.

Tashanna Ellis. When she was 14 she was in and out of schools. Tried the Daylight/Twilight and Isles Youth Build programs. They didn't work. Ran the streets with what she called "a disobedient spirit" which made her "not want to listen to anybody." Tried to kill herself. Institutionalized. And, at 14, she had a baby. Trenton, My Trenton. Tashanna Ellis.

Tashanna Ellis the teenage mother named her daughter Emiija. She fell in love with God, and 9 years later Emiija's HOPE is the 23-year-old college graduate's daily reminder of why she was put on earth.

Emiija's HOPE is a mentoring program that caters to Trenton girls ages 13 to 18. The handful of girls meets every Thursday at Urban Promise on West State Street. Tyrone asked Tashanna what girls can expect by attending these meetings. "To be empowered, to grow," she answered. Girls fill out a survey so Tashanna Ellis can pinpoint where help is most needed. Indeed, Tyrone said, "You don't want to work on one thing when they're looking for something else." That's the beauty of Tyrone, he pays attention to his guests and complements their stories. "We want to work on issues that are issues to them," Tashanna Ellis continued." She takes the few girls utilizing Emiija's Hope to service events because "to be a great leader you must be a servant," and on her own dime she takes the girls out to dinner or to the movies. "They need help. We don't want to just say we're here, but show them we'll be here consistently."

Now, Tashanna Ellis said, Emiija's HOPE needs a little financial help. She is taking a leap of faith by expanding her program. The first step is June 7 during an community outreach to spread the word, and the first major Emiija's Hope event is July 7. To contribute to Emiija's HOPE call Tashanna Ellis at (609) 349-8120.

So, is it just me or does Tashanna Ellis have a Gladys Knight spirit and vibe about her?

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Suga GP. A generation of Trentonians might remember the Trenton High grad from this:

That's when she was the Cream Beauty of the Month in October 2004. That's when her world was a whirlwind of excitement. Rapping. Traveling. Meeting people in all the right places. Living it up. Trenton girl on the rise. Then she came back down and "did the family thing" -- made 3 babies. "That settles you down."

And then she started GP Entertainment and began to manage and has become, in Tyrone's words, "an entertainment mogul" of sorts. She bought out Marcus Love, a rapper from Alabama who was having strong success with his mixed tape "True Prince of the South Vol. I" and helped him produce the second volume by bringing in guys like Jay Mills and Petey Crakk. These days she's putting together a reality show called "Rap/Music".

In January Tia got Frankenstein, the famed music video director, to direct the official "Occupy" D.C. video performed by Marcus Love and Rogerst Charles the sax man from Brooklyn. For someone who grew up in the golden era of rap (1985 to '93'ish), I am cutthroat about rap/hip-hop. Most of it is utter crap. That's why I was (mostly) pleasantly surprised by the Occupy rap and video. There's some substance to it. Suga GP ought to be proud of herself for assembling that talent, which shows she's a smart businesswoman in an industry dominated by men. Tyrone steered the conversation that way by asking Tia Leonard of Trenton about being a beautiful woman and a power player. "It used to be cutthroat, but now it's easier. I had to get myself out there to sell myself, but now I've already sold myself. I've been doing it for a long time so I don't have to prove anything." Then there was the sex aspect. "The males want, you know how men are ... typical male things, rubbin' and touchin'." At this point of the chat I was pulling up photos of Suga with mega-stars such as Kid Rock, and Tyrone noticed and said "He's a good friend of mine." The rest of the conversation was herky-jerky in a good way because Tyrone would focus on pictures in the screen-and-screen and either react or get Suga's reaction. It was all very fun, and very funny. Tyrone is an entertainer. The parts -- like where he fishes for a compliment and gets it, and takes back a shout-out, and cops a feel at the end -- made me laugh.

As for Tia Leonard, she came back to The Trentonian at 5:30 to bring the Cream clipping. We talked for a few minutes while I scanned the page. She's a tender-sweet girl looking for Prince Charming. Her list of suitors is probably 30-deep, but she asked "What if none of those 30 are worth it?" Indeed, she's a savvy businesswoman, but the Trenton girl still believes in forever after. Something very reassuring about that.

Congratulations, Tyrone, on your 10th episode. You're everything Trentonian TV was geared to be. Here are some production photos and below that the 22 minutes of goodness:

Tia's shoes and purse and Tyrone's shoes

The Trenton Law Firm of Tia, Tyrone & Tashanna

Tia's tatt

Tia and Tyrone having a little fun

Tashanna's shoes

Tia in the Trentonian TV green room after her spot

Tashanna talking about being 14 and pregnant

Tashanna, Tyrone and Thompson

Tashanna and Tyrone. Great interview.

Tia watching the replay of the broadcast

Trentonian TV Production Notes: A Gentleman Interviews Gentlemen

TRENTON -- I believe this is the second occurrence of tier 3 community engagement because L.A. Parker interviewed city activist Freedom Green, then Freedom became a Trentonian TV host and interviewed 30th Gentlemen's Ball Chairman Jun King Walker, and based on that interview last week Walker was asked to host for this 83-minute special. I'd love nothing more for the one of today's guests to take on a show to become the first tier 4 guy.

Minus a few set difficulties -- like when the chair Gerald Truehart used kept sinking -- the show by and large played out the way I wanted it to. Jun's a cool cat with Barry White depths to his voice, and he facilitated the conversations well. He interviewed class of '84 honoree and Trenton School Board member Gerald Truehart and Gerald Truehart III (a Gentleman and the son of a Gentleman) before letting father interview son, who is a senior at the Solebury School in New Hope, Bucks County. He is headed to Morehouse College to major in anthropology. Jun interviewed '05 honoree Jerell Blakeley, the "Most Likely to Succeed" Trenton High whiz who graduated from Howard University and is studying to earn his Master's in education at Rutgers. Two weeks ago, Jerell was named one of six Eagleton Fellowship recipients. Jerell's going to be the mayor of Trenton is 10 to 12 years, maybe sooner. Jun said he teases Jerell for being so serious all the time, and I got a strong dose of that seriousness during a 15-minute chat before everyone else arrived, when we talked about the merits of Tony Mack and Doug Palmer. I think people of influence will help smooth out Jerell's rough edges during the next few years, but by all means the kid is going to run this town. He might be governor of New Jersey in 15 to 20 years. He's crazy for politics -- his political perspective runs back to Tamany Hall 100 years ago, and even beyond. He's a super-intelligent kid with opinions, and he isn't afraid to espouse them, although I took him to task in the middle of his chat with Jun when I wote something on the back of a cue card after he ripped The Trentonian for showing black people in a negative light all the time while never showing black people in a positive light. Never, huh?

A couple of Ewing High Gentlemen from the class of '12 -- Stormin' Norman Hamilton and Anthony Logan -- shared some nice moments with Jun, as did class of 2001 Gentleman James Edwards, who graduated from South Hunterdon High then West Virginia Wesleyan College. The final Gentleman was Steven Cooke, class of '89. He graduated Hamilton High and Elizabeth City State University, and he's been the emcee at the Gentleman's Ball for several years. He and Jun displayed their terrific rapport, especially when I pulled up photos of Jun's Gentleman's Ball in '84. Jun softened up while talking about the picture of him and former Trenton mayor Art Holland, and when he described the picture of him with Gentlemen's Ball creators John Couch Sr., Paul Pintella Sr. and Edith Savage-Jennings.

I think Jun can carry his own show, and I hope he accepts Trentonian TV's invitation to do so, and then I hope one of his guests one day becomes a tier 5 person. And so on and so on.

Here are some photos from the broadcast, and below them is the 83-minute episode, which was the 73rd production in Trentonian TV history.

Jun King Walker (right) with fellow '84 Gentleman Gerald Truehart

Jerell Blakeley, Norman Hamilton and Anthony Logan Jr.

Jerell reading "Now or Never" while waiting his turn

The Gentleman of a Gentleman: Gerald III (right) and pop

James Edwards is a comedian who performs often in North Philly

Jerell Blakely: He even sits like a politician

Stormin' Norman!

Anthony "I Don't Snap the Other Elbow" Logan Jr.

Jun King and Steve Cooke

Jun talking about his moment with Art Holland

Steve, Jun and Hunter S. Thompson

Jun in '84 with Savage-Jennings (l) and John Couch Sr. (r)

Mercer County Gentlemen Year by Year.pdf

Trentonian TV Special: 30th Mercer County Gentlemen's Ball

TRENTON -- Wherever they are in the great beyond, John Couch and Paul Pintella Sr. must be smiling because their baby is now a 30-year-old Gentleman. In 1982, Couch, Pintella and civil rights icon Edith Savage-Jennings were Urban League leaders who brainstormed a gala for black male scholar-athletes deserving of recognition on a grand scale, much like the county's bright young females were recognized at debutante balls. A year later, the Mercer County Gentlemen's Ball was born, and 24 high school seniors became the first of 609 young leaders. Eighteen achievers in the class of 2012 will push the total to 627. The ball begins at 6 o'clock Sunday, June 3, at the Princeton Hyatt.

On Sunday at 9 a.m., class of '84 Gentleman Jun King Walker will host a Trentonian TV special during which he interviews Gentlemen from years past. Also in that class of '84 were Tony Mack, now the mayor of Trenton, and Gerald Truehart, now a Trenton School Board member. This year, Gerald Truehart III will become the "Gentleman of a Gentleman."

Here is the complete list of 627 Mercer County Gentlemen, including the class of 2012. Below the list is Monday's episode of "Freedom" in which Jun King Walker (the first guest) spoke about the 30th ball and a history of the ceremony.

If you're a past Gentleman, call King Walker at (609) 675-4656 to appear on the show.

Mercer County Gentlemen Year by Year.pdf

Trentonian TV Production Notes: Freedom Episode 13

TRENTON -- Good stuff. Watch the episode to see why.

Jun King Walker talking up the 30th Gentlemen's Ball

Jun's and Freedom's shoes

Jun did a smart thing by using his iPad to remember crucial infomation

It's 8:10 in the a.m. Do you know where your green room guests are?

The imam discusses Organo products

The imam's and Freedom's shoes

The imam

Sterick Ivey discusses The Conservatory

Perry Shaw III with his second Trentonian TV apperance in a week