2010 Philly 360° Creative Ambassadors

Meet Philly 360°‘s 11 new creative ambassadors—visual and performing artists and entrepreneurs from Philadelphia’s talented creative class:

Marsha Ambrosius
GRAMMY®-nominated Singer/Songwriter

As a songwriter, British-born Marsha Ambrosius has penned hits for Michael Jackson, Kelis, Alicia Keys and Philly’s own Jazmine Sullivan. She earned the nickname “The Songstress”—a nod to her strong, smooth singing voice—while in the GRAMMY®-nominated hip-hop/neo-soul duo Floetry, which sold 800,000 records worldwide. After forming in London in 1997, Floetry moved to the United States in 2000 and struck music gold when they hooked up with manager Julius Erving III and became regulars at Philly’s legendary Black Lily jam sessions. In 2007, Ambrosius embarked on her solo career, appearing on songs by Common, Nas, Jamie Foxx, Macy Gray and more. She is currently signed to J Records and is recording her debut solo album at The Studio in Philadelphia. Her new album will debut in summer 2010.

Marc Byers
Entertainment Executive, Entrepreneur & Founder of Rockstar Entertainment

For more than 10 years, Marc and Sherman Byers of Rockstar Entertainment have created strategic partnerships while collaborating with influencers and tastemakers like Usher, Eve, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx, Travis Barker, Raven-Symoné and producers Dre & Vidal. The company also placed “Hush,” a thought-provoking song recorded by Usher, on the official Obama inauguration CD.

Chloé Davis
PHILADANCO Dancer & Event Planner

Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Chloé Davis realized her passion for modern dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance summer program. She currently performs in PHILADANCO’s 40th anniversary season, joining the legacy of exceptional dancers that have broken barriers and built bridges across cultural divides. She has worked with the Tania Isaac Dance Project and choreographs for several hip-hop projects. Davis also owns Tigerlily Events, an event management and consultation firm. Davis graduated magna cum laude from Hampton University with a BFA. She completed her master’s degree in tourism and hospitality management at Temple University and will soon begin working towards her Ph.D. in business administration/tourism.

Orrin Evans
Jazz Pianist & Founder of IMANI Records

Orrin Evans works as a jazz pianist with a focus on hard bop and a strong affinity for the sounds of African-American culture, and for 11 years, he’s played for the New York City-based Mingus Big Band. The founder of Captain Black Big Band and co-leader of Tarbaby, Evans has toured and performed all over the world and released more than a half-dozen CDs on his own label, Imani Records. He continuously conducts workshops, clinics and master classes.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
Visual Artist & Editorial Illustrator

Originally from Oklahoma, Iranian and African-American artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh now calls Philly home. Her work is socially and politically charged with commentary on race, healthcare and misogyny. Most recently, her portrait of President Barack Obama was featured in the book Art for Obama: Designing Manifest Hope and the Campaign for Change. As a freelance editorial illustrator, her work has also been published in top magazines like The Source and Philly’s own two.one.five.

Set Free
Music Producer & Marketing Professional

Set Free is an accomplished marketing executive and music producer, a lifelong DJ, the founder of Sneaker Auction and co-founder of clothing and accessory line Undrcrwn. Free translated his music roots into a marketing gig with And1, the athletic apparel company responsible for the popular And1 Mix Tape series. His most recent endeavors include his brainchild Sneaker Auction, which melds lifestyle, sports and sneakers into one riveting package. He also worked with EA Games on their release of NBA 2010, securing hip-hop legend and actor Mos Def for the project.

Nikki Jean
Singer, Songwriter & Musician

Originally from Minnesota via South Dakota, Jean moved to Philadelphia to jump start her music career. She quickly made an impression on Black Thought of The Roots and Dice Raw, emcee and music producer (and member of The Roots crew), resulting in a gig with Raw’s group, Nouveau Riche, in 2005. She wrote and sang the hook on Lupe Fiasco’s wildly successful underground hit “Hip Hop Saved My Life” from gold album The Cool. Currently, Nikki Jean is signed to Columbia Records and working on her 2010 debut album in Philadelphia.

Jeri Lynne Johnson
Founding Music Director of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra

In 2008, skilled musician and conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson founded the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra (BPCO) with the mission of bringing classical music to the community and to a younger, more diverse audience. The BPCO is composed primarily of musicians of color from the country’s top conservatories and is the nation’s most culturally diverse fully professional orchestra. Maestra Johnson has led orchestras around the world and has been featured in Ebony, Essence, NBC’s Today show, 20/20 and NPR’s Tavis Smiley show. She is currently the only conductor of color in the city of Philadelphia and was awarded a 2009 Leeway Transformation Award for her work as an artist for social change. In 2005, Maestra Johnson made history as the first black woman to win an international conducting prize when she was awarded the 2005 Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship.

Rakia Reynolds
Fashion Expert, President of Skai Blue Media

Rakia Reynolds, a media superwoman specializing in branding, strategic planning and media and art direction, has developed and produced content for major national television networks, including MTV networks and TLC. As founder of the successful boutique lifestyle public relations agency Skai Blue Media, she’s attained clients like Bus Stop Boutique, Philly’s premier show boutique, and Frocks & Flats, an interior design and fashion firm. She works to increase the presence of multicultural artists through InLiquid, an arts organization dedicated to heightening exposure for visual artists and designers. As a fashionista and stylist, her work has garnered placements in the New York Post, Lucky magazine, Black Enterprise, TRACE and The Philadelphia Inquirer. In spring 2010, Reynolds will launch an online talk show focusing on celebrity fashion and manage a blog through TV One’s digital media platform. She’ll follow that by stepping into the role of Philadelphia editor for Uptown magazine in 2011.

Ursula Rucker
Poet & Recording Artist

Poet and recording artist Ursula Rucker has drawn international acclaim for her work with The Roots, 4hero, Jazzanova and King Britt. Rucker has made it her mission to elevate and purify the hip-hop art form and create social awareness through her life’s work. URB magazine described Rucker’s voice as “velvety smooth,” and she’s been featured in Vibe and XXL magazines. She released her debut album, Supa Sista, in 2001, and URB.com claimed her fourth and most recent album, Ruckus Soundsysdom, was “impeccably produced.” Rucker recently finished recording her latest album, titled She Said.

Writtenhouse
Hip-Hop Band

Hip-hop band Writtenhouse consists of three members—emcee Charlie K and producers Chris Conway and Kush Shalimar (plus hypeman Somersville Sleeves for live shows)—and finds its roots in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. Formed in March 2008, the trio creates beats live onstage during their electrifying performances, and they’ve logged nearly 35,000 miles on the road, performing in Toronto, Canada, Atlanta and in Philadelphia at The Roots Picnic. Writtenhouse has been featured alongside legendary hip-hop acts De La Soul, Public Enemy and Wu-Tang Clan, as well as with other contemporary artists like Kid Cudi, Wale, J. Cole and Clipse. Currently, the band is home in Philly recording their debut studio album, tentatively titled It’s Not You It’s Me.