Biographies

Marcus King is a veteran film and TV executive producer of vehicles like The Jamie Foxx Show, Hangin With Mr. Cooper, Ray, Redemption: The Stanley “Tookie” Williams Story, and numerous television specials. He’s the co-founder of the Laffapolooza Comedy Festival and Foxxhole Radio. He’s the former manager of Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning superstar Jamie Foxx and legendary R&B recording artists, The Isley Brothers.

Tony Phruishun Spires, is an executive producer of the TV show Gimme Five, former talent producer of BET’s Comic View and talent consultant on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. He’s a veteran filmmaker, theatre artist, poet/spoken-word artist. He’s the longtime manager of comedian/actor Don “DC” Curry and served as the manager of DL Hughley, Laura Hayes and Faizon Love. He’s the founder of the legendary Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival, which helped launch the careers of many notable artists. He’s also co-founder and producing artistic director of the youth arts non-profit, Full Vision Arts Foundation.

Lionel Bea of Bay Area Productions, has been Oakland’s and the Bay Area’s leading African American concert promoter for more than three decades. Producer of the famed Stone Soul Concert series and the Black Comedy Explosion, he has promoted concerts and tours by A-list artists such as Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Henry Royal has been an entertainment executive for more than 30 years. As the former proprietor of San Francisco’s DAS Club and general manager of Oakland’s Kimball’s Carnivale he hosted icons such as Eddie Murphy and Paula Abdul and helped launch the careers of legendary Oakland artists: Rap Superstar MC Hammer, R&B Sensation group Tony! Toni! Toné! And comedian Mark Curry. He’s managed tours for A-list artists including: Prince, Sheila E., Lionel Richie, Patti Labelle, and Santana. He currently is the managing general partner of Royal Paramount Limousine.

Kyle Newport has been a strategic advertising and live event marketing professional for more than 30 years. He has served as an artist manager, tour manager and promoter representative. He has worked closely with artists such as: Frankie Beverly, Will Downing, Charlie Wilson and Cedric The Entertainer.

Geoffrey Pete owns Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, the famed entertainment venue and multipurpose banquet facility in Downtown Oakland where he has hosted such greats as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters, Beyoncé, Sean Penn, E-40, Too Short, Jay-Z, Congressman Ron Dellums, Alice Walker, Senator Barbara Boxer, Johnny Cochran and Vice-President Kamala Harris. For several decades, Mr. Pete has been involved in direct political action to advance the cause of education and economic empowerment for African Americans. On his OBC membership Mr. Pete comments, “One God, one aim, one destiny.”