A DCCC Success Story

by Eartha Holley
Growing up in nearby Frazer, DCCC alumnus,
Brian Jones, always wanted to parlay his
rhyming skills into a rap career. After graduating
high school, Brian scraped together enough for a
plane ticket to Los Angeles to make his dream
come true. He soon discovered that not even his
part time job as a runner for Def Jam Records
was enough to sustain him. So after some
harrowing nights spent sleeping on park benches,
Brian returned home.
In 2005 he enrolled at DCCC hoping to
major in graphic arts to better market his mix
tapes. But instead, Brians dream got changed
here at DCCC. He credits faculty and staff like
Tommy Womack, Chuck Baker, Marc Henley,
and myself for mentoring him and igniting a
passion for learning he never knew he had. He
specifically credits Steve Aquilani for turning that
passion towards biology instead of Hip Hop.
While attending DCCC, Brian Jones worked as a
student tutor but also served as president of the
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society by the time he
had transferred to Drexel University in 2007.
The transition to Drexel was difficult for
Brian economically, culturally and emotionally.
I can personally remember trying my best to
encourage him by reciting some tired platitudes I
knew, Brian, you know that one door opens
when another one closes. He would simply
reply, Yeah, Mr. H, but its hell in the
hallway!

Brian Jones
in the lab at
Philadelphia
Univ.

Brian went on
to complete a Bachelors
of Science Degree in biology from
Drexel in 2010. Then he signed on as a counselor with
the American Red Cross while taking graduate courses
and doing volunteer work to prepare for a career in
medicine. He was selected this summer to Philadelphia
Universitys Physician Assistant program, an intensive
two-year degree that will have him ready to practice
upon his graduation.
But Brian never lost his love for hip-hop. To stay
in touch, he and I would send each other the names of
various artists and assorted musical snippets as we
commiserated on our mutual hobby. Before we knew it,
many of our conversations had coalesced into verses,
hooks and complete songs. We have collected these
songs written over the last few years into an album we
would like to share with you. Click the link below for
information on how you can support us, or just share
the story of another DCCC student who has done well.

Studio Album Release

The Professor Raps, (Vol. II)
This album is a collaboration between
DCCC English professor, Eartha Holley, and
DCCC alumnus, Brian Jones (the artist, B.K.J).
The unlikely duo brings their rap skills together
on this album. The music is PG rated; its
purposeful and just plain fun. Follow this link.
Click Here For

MORE INFO
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-professor-raps-album-vol-ii/x/11687672#/story