Reid-markable youth

Words by C. Daniel

Photos by 20/20 Vision Media

How many of us think that celebrity children coming into their own is quite reid-iculous? Guess what? It’s true.

YEEC-EOs (l. to r.) - James Smith, Aaron Reid, and Jason Johnson

First, it was MTV’s My Super Sweet 16, and now this. Aaron Reid, along with young colleagues Jason Johnson and James Smith, literally took Center Stage in Atlanta for opening night. On Friday, March 20, the three enterprisers kicked off their Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Circle (YEEC) with a green carpet grand entrance. Held at The Loft, part of the CW Midtown Music Complex, this event kicked off their movement; one that will allow any budding artist, entertainer, or entrepreneur, celebrity kid or not, to have his or her voice heard.

A Family Affair (l. to r.): L.A. Reid, Aaron Reid, and Sister Perri "Pebbles" Nixon

Reid, the son of Island Def Jam chairman Antonio “L.A. Reid” and 80s pop chanteuse-turned-evangelist Sister Perri “Pebbles” Nixon, had a message that was quite clear. “It’s about making today’s youth become tomorrow’s successful leaders,” he said on stage. The launch, titled “Hello World,” was hosted by DJs Judgmental and Griffy II Trillion and featured a performance by Konvict artist Ray Lavender. Undiscovered talent took the stage to belt out their vocals or spit a hot 16.

YEEC also bought along some help. Konsole Kingz set up the monitors, electric drum pads and the guitar for Rock Band 2. Laced Up, Atlanta’s premier custom sneaker joint, held up their display kicks on plexicubes. T-Mobile had communication devices while t-shirts of fly-ass birds were laid across the FLI-Pelican table (the red varsity sweaters were the truth).

And of course, YEEC’s launch couldn’t go without some guests for support. Some of the evening’s appearances were Rich Hil (son of designer Tommy Hilfiger), Miss Black Georgia Tashay Reid, Universal Records’ latest act First Draft, Def Jam signee Unique, Disturbing the Peace act LeLe, hip hop prince Joseph “JoJo” Simmons, Jr. (son of Rev. Run), and Michael and Carlysia LeVert (children of late r&b vocalist Gerald LeVert). Other guests included manager Chaka Zulu, music executive Kawan “K.P.” Prather, DJ Don Cannon, Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer Dallas Austin, Grammy Award-winning producer Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs, brand marketing extraordinaire Tyreal Lewis, vocalist LeToya Luckett and Keyshia Cole’s sister “Neffie.”