Torrence BRANNON

BIO, Torrence Brannon-Reese, MSWFounder & CEO, FA-MLI, Inc.,Talent, Intelligence, and Commitment...A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Torrence Brannon-Reese (Torre`) is a true Renaissance man, and artist extraordinaire, Torrence is an educator, poet, and published writer who founded the Foundation for Arts, Mentoring, Leadership and Innovation, aka, FA-MLI, Inc., a nationally recognized 501 © (3) nonprofit agency providing life enrichment and mentoring programs for at-risk youth. He started the annual LA Malcolm X Festival (1993-2007) the I’ve Known Rivers Film Festival (2010 – present) and the Leimert Park Black Arts Classic Photo series, (1996) the movement to co-name Crenshaw into Malcolm X Boulevard, which is now (May 2023) a done deal!Mr. BRANNON-Reese is a founding member of the nationally known A 'Capella Doo Wop vocal group, Street Corner Renaissance, for whom he sings 2nd tenor, baritone, 1st tenor, bass & lead, as well as serving as group spokesman, historian, and choreographer. Blessed with an amazing, four-octave vocal range, Torrence is the founder/leader of his dynamic New Orleans-style band, Everything with Soul, who headlined various concerts and festivals and has recorded several amazing original compositions including the venerable local hit, Shrimp & Grits! Torrence has performed alongside artists such as Stevie Wonder, the Neville Brothers, the Chi Lites the Impressions, Blue Magic, the Temprees, Jerry Butler, Lakeside, Horace Tapscott, Billy Higgins, Linda Hopkins, Gerald Wilson, Dwight Trible, Teena Marie, Vi Redd, Kamau Daa'ood, Barbara Morrison, Buddy Collette, the Temptations, Kool & the Gang, Jay Leno, Nancy Wilson and many more. Torre`nce also sings tenor, bass, and baritone as a member of the Delfonics Experience vocal group, featuring Norman Carter.A concerned youth advocate in the city of Los Angeles, Torre` created two gender-specific Mentoring/Life Skills Mastery programs for youth, “See A Man, Be A Man” and “Princess 2 Queen”, which has positively impacted the lives of thousands of youth and young adults over the past twenty years and boast a 100% graduation rate! These programs are powered by Torre` s award-winning life mastery curriculum entitled, Da Root. Torre` is one of Black Los Angeles's most respected community advocates/leaders. An Architect of the Leimert Park Cultural Renaissance, Mr. Brannon-Reese is the recipient of numerous local, regional and national awards including recognition as one of the Who’s Who in Black Los Angeles, 2009 until the present, and was recently installed (September 15, 2017) as one of the architects of the 50-year history of Los Angeles Southwest Community College.Torrence earned his AA in Political Science & Music from Los Angeles Southwest Community College in 1990, his BA in Communications and Africana studies from Cal State University Dominguez Hills (1992) and obtained his (MSW) Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, aka, USC (May, 2017). A vegetarian who believes in taking care of his temple, Torre` is most proud of his role as a single father to his four daughters, and loves his five grandchildren. He lives in Los Angeles historic Leimert Park Black Arts Village and credits his mother Gwendolyn, as the single most influential person in his life.Torrence may be reached at 323. 245.2133 /famlisoul@gmail.com /Facebook @ Torrence Brannon-Reese or visit the FAMLI website, www.famlisoul.org

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