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.