Wachelle Williams, DYRAC Chairperson stated, “Many of the youth at Cottrell House are so talented in music, cooking, sports and many other areas. I want to make sure that they have resources and contacts to help them pursue their talents.” With that goal in mind, DYRAC applied for and received a grant from the State Volunteer Resource Council to help youth reach their potential in the A.R.T. Program.
Cherika (Che) Roundtree of Strictly DFW Radio is an active member of DYRAC. She also mentors youth at Cottrell House and knows firsthand of the talent that many youth have. Che stated, “Youth have talents that need to be guided. I want to help youth that are interested in the music business.” Lavator (Ms. T) Jefferson, Artist Manager, also wanted to help those who are interested in music. Ms. T. stated, “I have always wanted to help people build their music careers because they need to know the basics and how to pursue their career without being taken advantage of.”Ms. T arranged for the youth to tour local radio stations, K104.5 FM and K105.7 FM. Youth had the opportunity to meet the morning teams of both radio stations, to ask questions, and see the radio personalities live on the air. Youth, ED stated, “Man this is a dream and I am so happy to be here. I really want a career in music and this is so exciting.” After the radio tour, Ms. T and music rapper SoloTX spoke with youth and encouraged them to always do what is right because continued negative actions will follow them for life. Ms. T stressed that each youth has the opportunity to change their lives. Ms. T and Che informed the youth that Kaotic of Kaotic Tracs will take youth in a six-week program to teach them about producing music. Both Ms. T and Che stressed to the youth that to work in music is a commitment, when means that they must be coachable, stay out of trouble, and be on time for the class.
Three youth expressed an interest in music and met with Kaotic at his studio, Kaotic Tracs, to start the music program. Kaotic inspired youth with a tour of the studio. He then encouraged them to always be themselves. Kaotic stated to the youth, “Never be afraid of fear because fear can help you make the right decisions. Always be you and always believe in yourself. Only sing or rap about your life, about things that are true. Do not rap or sing about things you do not know about, because if you do, you are not being yourself.” Kaotic has been in the music business about 20 years and admits that if there was a program in his past that could have helped him with his music career, he may not have made so many mistakes. Kaotic and boys worked together to pick out a beat in order to start their program. Youth, T.M. stated, “I am so serious about music and this is good because it will help me know what direction I need to take once I am released from Cottrell House. I am excited that someone wants to help me get started. This is a chance of a lifetime.”
Phillip Jones, Assistant Superintendent of Cottrell House, stated, “This is a good program that motivates youth. Kaotic is very motivating to the youth and has a powerful story of how his career began. He has the ability to grasp the youths’ attention and boost them to improve their lives.” This is just one section of the A.R.T. Program that is teaching youth new skills. The A.R.T. Program is designed to build youth resources while teaching them how to recognize talents they may not know of or how to build talents they may already have.
PHOTO: KJ Midday talking with youth while she was on the air with 105.7