LARRY KENDRICKS
Larry Kendricks has been the Production Manager at the Dell East for 16
years, and has been involved in some aspect of producing, promoting or
booking concerts and other types of special events through his firm, Larry
Kendricks Presents, for 25 years. In fact, he was Phyllis Hyman's Tour or
Road Manager for several years. As the Dell East's Production Manager,
Larry reviews artist contracts for production content, designs stage plots
and set designs for in-house productions, and supervises all stage
operations. He got his start in the business on the management level as the
General Manager of the old Adelphi Auditorium and Caterers, where he was
responsible for overseeing or executing all aspects of the business
operation. (Last taught in Spring 2003)
AL KNIGHT
While he is officially the Jazz Editor and Associate Rap Editor at Impact
Publications and a DJ at Drexel University's station, WKDU-FM, Al Knight
wears many different hats in the music business. His responsibilities at
Impact include processing radio playlist reports, compiling the
publication's rap chart, and writing reviews and articles. As a veteran DJ
at WKDU-FM with endless industry contacts, Al has extensive input into music
programming and promotions decisions for the urban music programming block.
He is also called upon to conduct on-air training for new DJs. Al is
currently a part-time student at Drexel who is pursuing a Bachelor's degree
in Industrial Engineering. (Last taught in Spring 1999).
LARRY LEVIN
Larry Levin is the Director of Event Services for KISS Food Services. The
company operates in 16 states, and manages food service operations for
events at Penn's Landing, the Ben Franklin Parkway and the Tower Theater,
among other venues. As Director of Event Services, Larry, who has been in
the business for seven years, is responsible for client relations, new
business development, site planning, logistics coordination and contract
negotiation. Larry earned his B.A. degree from New England College. (Last
taught in Spring 2001)
CLARA LEWIS
Currently a freelance producer for Teamwork Productions, a film and video
production company, Clara Lewis is an electronic communications and
broadcast professional with 18 years of experience. Prior to working in tv
and film, Clara was a feature travel columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune
and a radio news reporter for a regional Caribbean station. Her duties as a
lead producer include developing programs for tv and film, writing scripts,
managing projects, scheduling crews and equipment, and making sure projects
are completed on time and on budget. Clara earned her Bachelor of Science
degree in Home Economics and a Master's degree in Environmental Science from
Drexel University, as well as a Master's degree in City & Regional Planning
from the University of Pennsylvania. (Last taught in Spring 2003)
GEORGE LILES
George Liles is currently a Sr. Account Executive at WPHI-FM, also known as
"103.9 The Beat." In that capacity, he is responsible for selling
advertising packages to all types of clients for the Radio One station.
Prior to joining the WPHI-FM sales team around the beginning of the year,
George was a part of the WDAS Radio sales team for 7 years, and the WIP-AM
sales team for 9 months. He is an active member of African Americans in
Advertising and the Temple University Young Alumni group. George earned his
Bachelor of Arts Degree from Temple University. (Last taught in Spring 2003)
HELEN LITTLE
Helen Little, a 17-year veteran of the broadcast industry, is currently the
President of independent record label RuffNation Records. Prior to that,
she was the Operations Manager at Philadelphia's leading urban contemporary
radio station, WUSL-FM, known simply as POWER 99fm. In that capacity, she
was responsible for everything that goes on-air: the music, the DJs,
commercials, news and the overall sound. Helen got her start in radio as a
part-time announcer at WCHL-AM in Chapel Hill, where she had been attending
college. When she moved to her first big market, Charlotte, NC, she
supplemented what was initially a part-time opportunity with a stint in
retail management for the Camelot Music chain until full time employment was
offered at that station. Helen took a decidedly proactive approach to her
career in the earlier stages by seeking experience in sales, copywriting and
news, in addition to honing her on-air presentation. In the process, she
has worked at several stations in her native North Carolina and elsewhere
for AC, Country, Jazz, Top 40 and Urban program formats. This diverse
background has prepared Helen well for the demands and challenges of the
managerial positions she has taken on such as Music Director at WBLS-FM in
New York City and other markets, and Operations Manager at POWER 99fm.
Lastly, Helen was a student in the Radio, Television and Motion Pictures
Program at The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill). (Last taught in
Spring 2000)
VANESSE J. LLOYD-SGAMBATI
Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati is the founder of The Literary, a public relations
firm whose sole focus is literary ventures. Some of her firm's ventures
includes organizing children's book fairs, developing publishing marketing
strategies, coordinating author promotional tours, consulting to publishers,
authors and corporate entities who are interested in literacy. In
particular, Vanesse has consulted for publishers William Morrow,
HarperCollins, Simon Shuster, Random House, Hyperion, Doubleday, Free Press,
Scribner and Avon. Her firm has also produced events for Black
Entertainment Television, The Philadelphia Daily News, DaimlerChrysler, the
National Association of Black Journalists and many more. Lloyd-Sgambati is
a sought after speaker around the country on the "African American Literary
Renaissance" and "How To Get Published." She is also the founder of The
Literary Café, a national touring extravaganza of best-selling authors set
in an atmosphere that is reminiscent of the Harlem Renaissance cafés of the
1930s. Vanesse, who also speaks fluent Italian as a result of living in
Italy for over a decade, graduated cum laude in Political Science from
Temple University. (Last taught in Spring 2001)
TYRONE LONG
Through his firm, East Coast National Lighting Company, Tyrone Long has been
a highly regarded and sought Lighting Designer and Director for more than 20
years. His work and expertise are routinely on display at the Apollo
Theatre in New York City and the Dell East. Tyrone has also worked with
artists such as Brian McKnight, Chaka Khan and Faith Evans on various music
video and television projects. The full range of projects he has had the
pleasure of working on are television and theatrical productions, music
videos, tv commercials and live concerts. A product of Philadelphia's
public school system, Tyrone has studied at Temple University. (Last taught
in Spring 2003)
BOB LOTT
Befitting his role as President, CEO and Executive Producer of Teamwork
Productions, Bob Lott has an eye for design, form, and execution, and a
facility for following the needs of a demanding public. For the last 19
years, Bob has brought these same attributes to the film and video industry,
becoming the major influence in television production and syndication in the
Philadelphia area. In 1983, Lott foresaw the future in music video
programming and laid the groundwork for today's craze with his first
syndicated hit, "The Gavin & Lott Show," of which he served as producer and
co-host. This popular program aired for two years in 55 markets covering
75% of the nation. As Executive Producer of Teamwork Productions, Bob heads
the creative team. With his longevity plus accomplishments of two
nationally syndicated television shows, a documentary on the late state
Representative David P. Richardson, Jr., and numerous infomercials, music
videos, corporate and industrial presentations to his credit, he is a
respected force in his field. (Last taught in Spring 2003)
KEATH LOWRY
Keath Lowry is currently the President & CEO of Groove Control Productions,
a vertically integrated and self-contained production company. This
endeavor seeks to build on his proven track record as a songwriter and
producer for Next Plateau artist Sybil ("Love's Calling"), Tommy Boy artists
TKA ("You Are The One" from the Lean On Me soundtrack) and others. Born
into a musical family that included vocalist Roame Lowry of Maze and
songwriter John Whitehead of Philly International fame, it was only natural
that Keath's career gravitated toward music. A self-taught keyboardist and
drum programmer with 14+ years experience in the music industry, he credits
his production and songwriting ability to the 7 years he spent as a DJ,
analyzing the production, lyrics and music of songs to discern what elements
make a hit song. Keath has been a member of ASCAP since 1987. (Last taught
in Spring 2001)
ROY LUCAS
After a long run as a marketer in the cable television industry, most
recently as the Marketing Manager for Wade/Time Warner Cable, Roy Lucas
recently accepted a new challenge in economic development arena. As the
Economic Development Director for the Kensington Community Development
Corporation, he is responsible for identifying opportunities for businesses,
as well as attracting new businesses to the community. Prior to leaving the
communications industry, Roy was an active member of NAMIC and CTAM. He has
a BA in English and an MBA from Ohio State.
SARAH MARTINEZ-HELFMAN
When Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie and his wife, Christina, established
Eagles Youth Partnership (EYP) as the team's non-profit charitable wing in
1995, they named Sarah Martinez-Helfman as its Executive Director. Now in
her eighth year, Martinez-Helfman, frequently described as a "dynamo," is
recognized as a leader in the field of sports philanthropy. During her
tenure, she has taken EYP's signature event, the Eagles Carnival, to new
heights. Beyond EYP, Sarah has devoted much of her career to working with
young people. She has helped develop two National Service AmeriCorps
Programs, worked in the juvenile justice system and at a Rape Crisis
Center. On the corporate end, Martinez-Helfman spent three years in Europe,
advising corporations, groups, and individuals on their charitable giving in
England, Ireland, and Russia.
A two-time graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sarah Martinez-Helfman
earned her B.A. in English Literature and her M.S. degree in Counseling
Psychology. Her simple mission in life is to leave the world better than she
found it. (Last taught in Spring 2003)
HELEN McCRARY, ESQ.
An entertainment attorney and businesswomen, Helen McCrary has represented a
wide range of clients associated with the entertainment industry: recording
artist Gerald Levert, rapper/producer Jazzy Jeff, and WDAS-FM radio
personality Gary Shepherd. She also manages and acts as legal counsel to
her daughter--Absolute/Motown recording artist, actress and dancer Sonni
Giddiens. As a businesswoman, McCrary is the co-founder of the d'Zert Club
Teen Summit 1000, a 24-month educational and cultural program for Delaware
Valley youth focused on developing an understanding and awareness of the
African experience in America. Helen's earlier business experiences include
publishing a weekly music industry newsletter, and owning and operating two
music retail stores. Educationally, she earned a Bachelors degree in Speech
from Howard University and a JD from Temple Law School. (Last taught in
Spring 2003)
KEITH R. McKINLEY, ESQ.
Attorney and entrepreneur Keith McKinley has been practicing law for 12
years. As an outgrowth of his entertainment law practice, he has branched
into artist management and record label management. The record label he
created is Contour Records (www.contourrecords.com), which is the recording
home of jazz/gospel artist Ruth Naomi Floyd. Keith has also had experience
as a booking agent for classical music performers worldwide. He usually
tries to identify viable options for clients other than the major label
record distribution system, because he feels it quite often does a
disservice to the concepts of artistic creativity and longevity. In fact,
Keith is in the process of researching and writing a book that analyzes how
the global conglomerate music business disenfranchises artists and
entrepreneurs, particularly focusing on African Americans. Keith earned his
BA in Political Science and law degree from Temple University. (Last taught
in Spring 2001)
STEPHANIE RENÉE McNEAL
Stephanie Renée McNeal has more than 10 years experience in marketing and
promotions, as well as being an accomplished author, performance artist and
journalist seemingly forever. Stephanie Renée, as she is known in
performance and artistic circles, is currently holding down the fort in a
marketing & PR capacity with Freedom Theatre, in addition to running her own
venture, Creator's Child Productions. She also has prior advertising agency
experience with Beach Advertising. All these vehicles have provided
Stephanie Renée ample opportunity to demonstrate and hone her writing skills
for various audiences--advertising copywriting (for which she's won a Silver
Microphone Award), press releases, freelance journalist for Philadelphia
Weekly and other publications, published poet, songwriting, script writing,
and web site editing to name a few. If nothing else, her diverse writing
ability has enhanced her opportunities and usefulness in the performance
arena, where she has acted in plays and music videos, done voice-over work,
and been a featured vocalist in choir and ensemble settings. Stephanie
Renée is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, ASCAP, NARAS and Actor's
Equity Association, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics
from the University of Pensylvania's Wharton School.
SHUNA ALI MIAH, JR.
Now enjoying a well deserved retirement, Shuna Ali Miah, Jr. was widely
known as the Dell East's General Manager for much of the 1980s. During his
tenure as GM, Shuna guided the talent selection process to include more
current R&B performers in particular on the talent roster. Prior to his
high profile stint at the Dell East, Shuna worked as an administrator at
Pennsylvania Hospital, and as a cultural programs specialist for the City's
Department of Recreation. He is currently involved as the Chairman in the
effort to organize a Songhai Empire Charter School in Philadelphia.
Educationally, Shuna holds a Bachelors degree and a Master of Education
degree. (Last taught in Fall 1999)
AMBER D. NOBLE
Amber Noble is currently a sales representative for the Wireless Division of
WORLDCOM. Prior to that, she was the Marketing & Promotions Director for 3+
years for WPHI-FM, known as Philly 103.9. For a time, she was also a
part-time air personality and co-host of the acclaimed radio program,
"Ultrasound–4 Females Only." In her capacity as Marketing & Promotions
director, Amber was responsible for developing and implementing marketing,
promotional and public relations strategies for the mainstream urban
contemporary radio station. A Philly native, Amber got her first stint in
radio at the age of 15 as a crew member on WDAS-AM's teen talk show, "The
Way It Is." From there, she held down on-air, marketing and promotions
responsibilities at various times during her four year tenure at Temple
University's WRTI-FM. Amber is a Temple University graduate with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media. (Last
taught in Spring 2001)