I couldn’t have asked for anybody more suitable to introduce in the “Inspiration Breeds Inspiration” series than Drex Inkredible, aka Mr. Get it Done, aka Drex Book, aka Gav’s partner in anti-crime, aka Derek Jancar. I was first introduced to Drex back in January of this year, that’s only ten months ago and he has made an unbelieveable impression on myself. From his work at the Remix Project, and Terra Encantada, to his recording career; Drex doesn’t stop in the pursuit of his dreams. To witness an individual so enthralled in his work and willing to help everyone around him is beyond inspiring. Drex is always the first person at the Remix Project and the last to leave. Reminiscent of Michael Jordan at practice, his work ethic and determination inspires Remix participants and others around him to strive harder like Pippen for their personal aspirations. 

Drex’s Bio:

“January 10th, 1981, a goddess’ water broke she about to have a son”

Born Derek Jancar to mother Carol and father John, Derek is the first born of 3 sons. Growing up in the west end of Toronto, Derek was raised in a culturally and socially diverse community in a city itself praised for its multi-culturalism.

 “Don’t let the world tell you who you are, tell the world who you are”

Drex is the natural evolution of Derek Jancar. Grown from a reserved and sensitive child into a self-confident showman, Drex is an artist. A humble orator of substance in a generation of flash. A series of perfect contradictions, Drex is at once a controlled and passionate man, by turns a serious and comical mc, and a straight and honest hustler. His dedication is evident when you hear his music. Taking a strong role in all aspects of his art, Drex is often producer, editor and engineer. A spokesman for his community, Drex’ self-styled brand of “honest music” encompasses the thoughts and aspirations of a generation.

 “Get Money, Make Change”

Putting his money where his mouth is, Drex’s “Clark Kent” persona is Derek Jancar, the resource coordinator and cofounder of Canada’s largest youth-led urban arts program, The Remix Project. The Remix Project focuses on three main programming streams: Recording Arts, Creative Arts and The Art of Business. As a cofounder of the entire project, Drex has been involved in everything from the program development to the identification and securing of resources to working frontline with some of Toronto’s most talented and underserved young people.

“Switched it up from Charlie Hustle to Corporate Charles”

Since the international release of the Charlie Hustle album on iTunes in 2006 and the national retail (HMV – Canada wide) and international digital release (iTunes) of The Rawluck Movement album in 2007, Drex has come a long way in his understanding of both the music industry and more importantly his place in it. Having performed in places as diverse as Waterloo, Ontario and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Drex’s outlook has taken a decidedly global perspective.

“City to City, the struggles just the same”

The last year (2007) has seen Drex begin to travel the world with his unique mix of music and community actions. It was after journeying to Rio de Janeiro to join Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada on a cultural delegation, Drex split off from the official party and linked up with local Schools Without Borders affiliate Andrew Lens and Brazilian based organization IBISS for the real frontline experience. It was these experiences through SWB and IBISS that rocked his very foundations and led him to initiate a collaborative project between those two organizations and his Remix Project to help construct a full media arts centre right in the middle of one of the poorest favelas in Rio, Terra Encantada (Enchanted Land). It is his unique experiences and perspectives that have led him to be tapped by everyone from MuchMusic and MTV to Global News and The Toronto Star as an authentic voice and expert on youth issues. Using his precious face time in the media to not just talk about the issues but also to identify solutions has made Drex a much sought after and popular resource himself.

“I’m here people”

2008. With the full blessing and support of his Rawluck family, Drex is again striking out on his own with the release of his second solo full-length project: .  The proceeds of this album and all related activities (merch, release party etc.) will go directly towards completing the construction of a media arts centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that Drex has been intimately involved in putting together through his role at Remix alongside Brazilian organization IBISS and Canadian charity Schools Without Borders.

What Toronto Means to Drex:

“The World’s Cultural Capital”

 

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The first person I am honoured to introduce in the “Inspiration Breeds inspiration” series is Gavin Sheppard. I’ve been sitting here staring at the screen trying to put into words the amount of inspiration and motivation I have gained since meeting Gav. It’s next to impossible. I have never met someone so willing to put his personal needs behind the greater good of society. He strives for excellence in every aspect of life and his work never ends, yet somehow he still remeains untired and unphased. Gavin has been able to change the lives of many people and inspire everyone he comes in contact with. To many politicians I’m sure his work is somewhat avant garde, but to the people his work helps it is beyond necessary. From myself and everyone you have ever worked with, shared your unique gifts with and raw ability to inspire, I would like to thank you Gavin.

Gavin’s Bio:

Gavin Sheppard is the founder and project coordinator for I.C. Visions—North America’s first government-funded hip hop recreational centre. Having founded the innovative community project at the age of 17, he is proud to announce that I.C. Visions recently celebrated its eighth anniversary in July of 2008. Re-titled and refocused as “The Remix Project” in October 2006, this newest evolution of the I.C. Visions program, has become both an official priority project of the Mayor’s Community Safety Secretariat and the United Way of Greater Toronto. The Re-Mix model continues to build on the I.C. Visions foundation, highlighting the impact of urban entertainment and culture as tools for engagement and empowerment, and introduces elements of hands-on training and mentorship into the mix.

 Gavin is a founding member of the Grassroots Youth Collaborative, a collective of some of Toronto’s top youth-led organizations serving their peers in the GTA. His experiences within the field of youth engagement and talents for working with young people have led him to be called upon by many different institutional bodies as an authentic voice regarding youth issues. Recently named to the experts panel overseeing the study “Social Inclusion in the Americas:  A Role of Cultural Programs and Policies for Youth” being undertaken under the auspices of the OAS Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC), Gavin has been a loud and authentic voice regarding the power of art and culture as an engagement, empowerment and development tool. His public policy engagement work has ranged from presenting at the UN Habitat’s Safe Cities Conference in Monterrey, Mexico, to writing the framework paper for, and presenting at, UN Habitat’s Youth Violence and Crime conference in Durban, South Africa to the Ontario Region of Canadian Heritage’s all-staff retreat to Canadian Federal Government caucus summits on the gun violence currently afflicting Toronto, to Harvard University, to meetings with diverse funders who are seeking to better understand and engage young people. Gavin has been a tireless advocate for youth voices and the assets they bring. He identifies the need for social programs that embody youth culture and the arts in Toronto’s most under-funded communities.

Constantly involving himself in opportunities to further the cause of the arts and alternative education, Gavin is currently serving on the board of directors of Schools Without Borders (SWB) – an innovative non-profit that introduces young people to diverse cultural and life-skill-based learning opportunities around the world. It is through SWB that he has been involved in facilitating exchange programs with young people from the slums of Toronto, Canada, to the favellas of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Gavin self-identifies as a connector. It is for this reason that over the last two years he has become a strong member and now the Chair of the Laidlaw Foundation’s “Youth Engagement” committee. In his capacity at Laidlaw, Gavin often goes beyond the required role of assessment and recommendation for funding of youth-oriented projects, but reaches out and attempts to connect and network the groups he’s working with to other opportunities or groups who he thinks can benefit from each other. Gavin’s passion lies in seeing good people come together to create great works.

It is this with this passion in heart that 2008 finds Gavin continuing on his pilgrimage for inspiration.

What Toronto means to Gavin:

“Toronto is a city of possibility. To me, it is one of the most
exciting and incredible gatherings of people on this planet (and I’ve
been a lot of places). There is a critical mass of intellectual,
creative and fun loving energy that is bubbling over in Toronto. We
have been a world-class city for a long time. We are finally assuming
our role as a world leader now and that shit is really exciting to me.

Toronto is a world leader in everything from public policy to public
parties. Our city is one that celebrates. Unabashedly. And we have so
much to celebrate. It’s incredible. I’m sick of the bullshit so here
is the official proclamation:

THE SCREWFACE CAPITAL IS DEAD.

In it’s place is the new Toronto. The Toronto that all of us who are
really doing something or trying to make it work have come to know.
The Toronto that has us all supporting each other, building, climbing
and striving. The Toronto where we don’t wear yankee fitteds anymore
we rock jay’s. The city where we are damn proud of ourselves and of
our sisters and brothers. The one that can’t nobody hold. The very
same city that got people from young to old rocking, speaking and
screaming 1 LOVE T.O.”

Straight Goods. Ya Dun Know. Differently Still. Guy.

Ya Zee It,

Gavin Robert Desmond Sheppard

 

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I have been fortunate enough in my 23 years to meet some amazing people, with amazing stories, who provide me with AMAZING amounts of inspiration. Each individual offers inspiration to me in a different light, and I want to recognize each on of them and their unique qualities. I would like to allow you, the reader, to be introduced to my personal sources of inspiration and hopefully, in turn become inspired yourselves.

While introducing you to each individual, I also want to offer you a deeper perspective into our city of Toronto and the amazing talent it houses. Toronto is a strong source of inspiration for all of us and each person featured has a unique passion, and love for the city which will be highlighted in each post.

Welcome to my inspiration.

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