Bazz Facey's True All Stars

My ex-colleague Sonya took the steps to put down her digital learning career to be fully involved in an almost life long passion of creating art. Soaring her way to opening her own business for commissions, my headstrong, non-fearing friend navigates this world as a mother to two adorable children and wife of a Doctor, creating a family hug of caring, nurturing and creativity. She also taught me a thing or two about social faux pas...

Philadelphia's DJ Kidd Disco is co-owner of Grown Folks Radio where he brings his unfiltered, articulate and often thought provokingly comedic views to the airwaves and internet streams. He is a DJ, turntablist who was there at the birth of Hip Hop and has carried one of its torches through devastating scratch skills, juxtaposed, stylistic remixes and a never waning passion. A true legend of the game, who witnessed Jazzy Jeff before his pairing with Will Smith and was in attendance when a uong LL Cool J stormed Philly, Kidd's tales of the culture will make you stop and listen.

From the student and tourist laden streets (and green parks) of Cambridge, Jamie Green has been an active comedian, performing at and hosing comedy shows for the best part of ten years. His brand, Wise Crack Comedy (UK) has given stage time to some great up and coming talent, some of whom have gone on to ply their trade at the BBC as well as featuring some seasoned, comedy circuit acts. He talks about the impact of his disability on his act and the era we're I was his support DJ. Jamie is warm and inspiring and was a delight to catch up with.

From Philadelphia, USA, Shelly Shell Williams is the power house, self-styled .media-preneur,' that worked tirelessly in the urban music scene on the TV airwaves of Philly, branching out into social media strategies for iconic brands and business coaching, specialising in good practices for monitising skills. She is co-Owner of The Grown Folks Radio which has, actress, Cynda Williams (Mo' Betta Blues) as one of the hosts, Shelly helps me reflect on this first season of True All Stars as well as my reasons for endeavouring to produce such a show, giving me expert advice and tips on how to harness personal skills and use them to my advantage in a market place where everyone is vying for attention. With an extended intro with Hannah The Voice Over Lady, this is a fitting end of season show.

30 something, bar manager Scott, shares his experiences about growing up as an out, Gay, male and the twist and unexpected turns he faced. A warm soul and a heart of goal, Scott's outlook on life is both inspiring and grounded. This for me is one of my stand out, highlights of this season.

My old school friend Zeynep is a TV commercial producer in Los Angeles. Having started out life in North London, she threw her soul into anything she was tasked with, harnessed any experiences from even the most obscure job roles and used her networking skills to perfection to advance her career to sunny California via San Francisco, where she is also a happily married, mother of one. A unique soul with a can do and humorous attitude, this mini reunion is as fascinating as the stories that unfold from both of us...

Marina, mother of 4, wife and casual high achiever recounts her days growing up in the North London, Greek/Cypriot culture to virtually mastering every job role undertaken to setting up two flourishing businesses. With the world's most genuine and hearty laugh, Marina accepts her new rebranding as 'Gold,; discovers Londoner's don't use the letter L much and trades parent stories with me.

DJ Tom conquered the local bar scene with his music selector and mixing skills and is a big draw for nights out in Kettering as well as private events. His world tragically changed when someone close to him, struggling with mental health issues, took their own life. Tom launched a bid to stage an outdoor DJ festival, armed with a number of fellow local DJs to honour the memory of his cousin and to raise money for the men's mental health charity, Mind. The pandemic and lock downs of 2020/21 stopped the outdoor event from happening, but that didn't stop, Tom...

Multi-media creative Chris has a long career in everything from building websites to being a virtual one-man-film studio. His love of all things geek also brings out the artistic side of him. Chris put his career on hold to care for his son,which inspires a real love for the guy and his immediate family. A true gent with whom I've had the honour of working on the same team as. This is one of my favourite interviews with one of my favourite friends.

Entrepreneurial, British, New Zealander, Darren shares his stories of being moved to the other side of the world from his father and family at a young age only to rediscover them (and me) in spectacular fashion 25 years later. Currently a travel photographer and founder of Black Matter Gear, Darren's positive outlook on life and willingness to spread it is both charming and heart warming.

My voice over lady! 25 year old Hannah's year of car upgrade, gaining a work promotion and buying her first house, was achieved by working up to three jobs simultaneously, eating modestly and seeking to expand her knowledge to become career versatile. She talks about her unease through school years and the experience of being a partner of a policeman with Jamaican heritage through the rise of the BLM movement. 

The lead female actor in my favourite film, Spike Lee's 'Mo Better Blues,' Cynda Williams shares a glimpse of her life which lead to her 30 years showbiz experience which covers, acting, singing, radio, podcasting and writing. Also reflecting on the then, impending, US Presidential election result and in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, this is one of my favourite slices of 2020.

Born and raised in the east-midlands of UK, quick witted, Kayla's hard working, goal achieving efforts in life were rocked by the devastating effects of Motor Neurones Disease on her father before facing her own battle with Ovarian Cancer. Still only in her mid 30s, mother of two Kayla decided to go to University, turning her back on a given career path in an attempt to help others whilst raising awareness and funds for those affected by similar circumstances.

The opening episode of Bazz Facey's True All Stars needed a true all star and big heart. Rhea, in her mid-30s once ran for a seat in Parliament as she attempted to represent her political party in her local constituency. From her childhood she has been fuelled with the desire to promote fairness and equality and her tales of being a recipient of a negative attitude for being a female betrayed her natural common sense, academic achievements and most of all, her quest to make the world a better place.