LOCAL HERO

This month's local hero is: Jeriel Bey.

The Architeckz athletic team do not study blueprints for building infrastructure. This Oakland-based hip-hop freestyle athletic team is working together to introduce some of the latest dance moves, while incorporating a new Urban Sport, catering their own style and flavor.

Southern California native Jeriel Bey created the hip-hop group in 2002 to help kids use dancing as a way to promote healthy lifestyles in a new form. He has developed a vessel for young kids to express themselves in positive ways and most importantly: to keep inner-city kids out of trouble. Bey, 30, said growing up in Los Angeles was not always a delightful experience, but it was a step needed to learn the lessons to cultivate his business.

"I was getting evicted, had no job, had no car, and thought 'we need to try to make some money for ourselves.'" He said, "(So) my cousin Frank Sticks, a friend named Milan and I started dancing at birthday parties to make some extra bread on the side."

The Architectz, which consists of co-ed dancers ages 8 to 22, performs dances different to the ones in the film "Rize," which documented a street dance team out of Southern California, but are rich in their own style presentation. Bey, a mentor and dance coach, talked about the difference between the opportunities in Los Angeles and Oakland. With L.A. being fast and flashy, the seriousness about promoting the art of dance and booking performances were limited for those who were disconnected with the right contacts.

The city of Oakland is where Bey looked for an opportunity to bring a positive element, as well as learn the business from those who were willing to teach him. The vibe of Oakland allowed and helped him to cultivate all his prior experiences and focus solely on the art.

"Oakland opened the door," he said. "In L.A., you're not going to get the game. They just shut you out because the information is valuable." Many opportunities were presented to Bey after his decision to move to Oakland. "It taught me how to be myself and come here and teach." He would teach a class in which he would like to see develop within Urban Sports (Dance competitions) in schools throughout the Bay Area. Bey wants the schools to recognize dance as an element of cardio, conditioning, stretching, as well as hip-hop freestyle. He visualizes dance competitions between schools within the Bay Area. Though Bey was successful with setting up a program in two schools in East Oakland, he wants to expand the art. His experiences with his team generated a level of inspiration that he reflects onto his kids.

Bey, who credits his father as being a great influence in his life, said he remembers his father instilled in him to "always take care of family." A family that includes his immediate family, his dance team, and his brother Romeo Bey who saved his life in Southern California.

For this, he dedicates his saved life to a close friend who is currently incarcerated. He prepares to help create a better life for his friend upon his release and for the day of their uniting and assures that his friend would be very proud of him.

As an active Moslem in the Moorish-American faith, spiritually, he has been influenced by the study of Noble Drew Ali, which allowed him to focus and communicate effectively with his community through Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, & Justice. As a youth, he expressed his love for dancing in high school where he danced in the hallways and was usually kicked out because of it. While attending school at Grambling State University, Bey took it a step further and participated in talent shows, and college radio where he gained minimal popularity as "the guy from the talent shows." He also reflects on the intern position he held at the Motown recording label. Overall, tiny steps toward what he really wanted to accomplish, Bey went back to the core of it all - the community. His advice to young inner-city kids who want to become dancers is to practice. "Always create new ideas. Never let anything get you down as far as your confidence level," Bey said. "You have to be a humble dancer, and be willing to be coached." Bey said he is grateful to do what he loves in the city of Oakland. and he loves the city.

For more information on The Architeckz please email at the following address:
thearchiteckz@yahoo.com