Larry "Butch" Dennis

LARRY "BUTCH" DENNIS

My next piece comes from the around the same neighborhood has my other interviewees. This story takes place around the corner from me in what is considered to be "the ghetto" of Los Angeles. This young man, Larry Dennis Jr better known as "Butch" by his peers dreams of one day becoming a replica of the father he grew up with, he hopes to one day inherit more than just his name.  Butch like many of us, never had to live on the streets growing up. He actually developed a taste for entrepreneurship at young age. Selling chips and juice in grade school or taking out his neighbors trash, Butch states "I've always liked to hustle." At twenty-one (21) Butch still plans to become a young entrepreneur. Owning a barber shop like the one he often frequented as a child while his father cut hair is among many of Butch's goals. " Iset my goal of having a barbershop at the age of 23 because I always wanted one. I grew up in the barbershop because my dad has his own. I don’t cut hair but I would just love to own one, always been a goal of mine and it will be done." he says. The most extraordinary thing I've had the pleasure of witnessing so far is Butch's church event entitled "Club Jesus." The concept in its entirety is amazing. It brings together several different age groups for one purpose. To encourage a stronger relationship with God. At our age and generations before us, there tends to be no hope in communities where we grew up in and all we have is our faith. "Club Jesus" features heart felt stories from people who have had to bear the unbearable and because of leaning on their faith, found the light at the end of a dark tunnel. It also features constant entertainment such as music and comedy all centered around faith. Butch hopes to expand "Club Jesus" to become one of the largest young adult ministries in California. Often times the young generation is looked down on but young men like Butch prove society wrong. Butch is also a strong influence among his peers, aside from the business aspect of life, he is known as the comedian and many gravitate to him because of his outrageous sense of humor. Butch carries a sense of popularity and the power to be an effective friend. He often encourages and brings out the best in people.  Everyone morning bright and EARLY, a mass text with a positive message is sent out to encourage anyone dealing with the causes and effects of life to continue to push through it. He, like anyone else in life has faced obstacles and getting to this point was not a simple task. "I learned a lot from just growing up as a child to now. I've been hit by a car, broken my leg twice and born premature. I just know I have a plan. Some obstacles I faced while getting my church event organized was money situations, people flaking on me, etc. I look at obstacles as just a setback for a major comeback, I never try to think down on any situations. Always keep a positive mindset don’t matter the situation." So I'll leave you with this, not all of us come from tragic homes, we may grow up in poverty but our generation is NOT doomed. Young black men like Butch (Larry Dennis Jr.) give hope to anyone going through tough times or not. 




*For more information on Club Jesus please contact Larry Dennis Jr.  (Butch) @ ButchDennis91@yahoo.com ; to get to know him through his pictures follow his Instagram @bdennis_2


*Special thanks to Butch Dennis Jr. for taking the time to do this interview and of course the always wonderful Karen Weiss.

Meet the Author

 Hey guys! Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Andrea Walton, I'm a young twenty one (21) years old and I'm a college student just like many of you. I work in a library for the city of Santa Monica. I, like you have had my share of ups and downs in life but I'm thinking I finally got it right this time. I'll be a student at UCLA and if all goes well I'll have a job at the Los Angeles times news paper. My story begins in Pasadena, CA and continues through South Los Angeles, CA. I too grew up in the inner city. My parents had me when they were 19 and 20 years old so it was tough growing up with parents
that were so young. Still dealing with their own immature ways, they had to grow up while growing up three children of their own. I grew up in a household full of worry, anger, fear and love as ironic as that sounds. My dad was often a burden on my family and very little good ever came from him. I was often the child that was severely disciplined by my mother though. There was times where I couldn't go to school because of cuts on my face or bruises on my body. As crazy as that sounds, my mother is one of my best friends. You see alcohol often captivated her. When I was about eighteen years old my mother finally got out of her abusive marriage. We moved and left that awful man that was my dad. My mom stopped drinking and found herself and things have been better since. I turned to church when things were difficult for me and I found my out. I can truly say that I breathe easy at night with faith in my heart. My goals in life are to become a journalist. I write. I love it and have found it to be therapy for as long as I can remember. I want to encourage and help my peers that think there is a dead end for people that come from where we come from. I am so full of love and I just would like to be a blanket for anyone in need. I'd like to encourage anyone with a dream to pursue it. I want to inspire those around me and make our generation the one that leaves the biggest imprint. Nice to meet you all!

*For more information about me feel free to email me at Andreajwalton@gmail.com or follow my life through my pictures on instagram @peaceandreaa

Greg Bewernick

BEWERNICK, GREG

Meet Greg Bewernick, a twenty-four (24) year old student-athlete that has had everything BUT an easy life. Being raised on 37th/Normandie but moving a few times through out South Los Angeles, Greg quickly learned the life he did not want for himself or his family. He was fortunate enough to fall in love young. A ball was placed in Greg's hand and from them on it was love at first dribble. The game of basketball has gotten him through many tough times. Shortly after his high school  graduation, Greg's family was short of homeless and he was forced to drop out of school. For the next two years Greg was forced to work full time to aid in the support of his family but still managed to keep a positive attitude about life. Greg was eventually able to return to school where he was able to also return to basketball. Truly one of thee most dedicated individuals I have been privileged to meet, Greg continuously works in the gym spending hours perfecting his craft. Greg hopes to obtain a scholarship for college after being selected as a junior college top 100 player in his final season at Fullerton City college. Greg hopes  He plans to earn his BS in kinesiology. After obtaining his BS, Greg plans to begin a one year program to become an X-Ray technician. On most days when asking Greg the simple question "How are you" His response is often "I woke up today so I'm blessed, can't complain" Greg is more than just your average twenty four year old athlete. He's a brother whom supports his siblings, a son that supports an ill mother in her time of need and friend to any who may need just an ear and a few words of encouragement. Never have the challenges he's faced been too much for him even when they are. A selfless example of what the phrase "tough times don't last, tough people do" means. Perseverance, Dedication, Determination, Faith. 

Special Thankyou to: Greg Bewernick for taking the time out to complete this interview and of course the lovely Karen Weiss

Chazz Thomas

[Thomas and little brother.]

At a mere twenty one (21) years old, Chazz Thomas is among today's young people working hard to change the image of young African American men. Growing up in South Los Angeles, California, an area known predominately for heavy gang activity, poverty and violence, Thomas is no stranger to surviving in the inner city, Thomas however chose a different route. He chose to stick with basketball and a few honors classes to keep him out of trouble. Basketball dreams faded quickly but the older he got, the more determined he became. Thomas made a name for himself when he was young and knew the majority of his peers stating that's also how he was able to turn away in the face of what could easily mean him becoming a product of his environment. Currently enrolled at California State University Bakersfield as a business major, Thomas is what he hopes to be about a year shy of a business degree and what he plans to put forth in going into the field of real estate and business management. Thomas plans his success some time in the near future and hopes to have his degree and completed college at the age of twenty two (22). When asked what his main goals were and how he set them, he replied "All my goals are set to make my family happy." While most young adults are set in selfish ways, Chazz Thomas is one of a few examples of what it means to be selfless. His happiness stems from the happiness within his family. He is apart of the "ROARING TWENTIES" and a young man helping to rear our generation in a more positive direction just leading by example for future generations to come.  


*For more information or to keep up with Chazz on a regular basis follow his thoughts on twitter and instagram @Chazz_T


Special thanks to: Chazz Thomas for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do this interview and to Karen Weiss for suggesting I start this project.