ASK Academy creates an environment supportive of youths' physical, intellectual, psychological, emotional and social development. Utilizing nationally recognized standards based curriculum, Ask Academy's programs facilitate successful transition into adulthood. The Youth work towards developing concrete plans for their next steps in life. They work on creating a blueprint for their future educational, professional and personal goals.
ASK youth also navigate the business of Progressive Arts & Media. They learn video, film, & music recording and production and other vital elements of entertainment industries. Upon completion of an album and video documentary, the youth learn how to market and sell their product in order to create a self-sustaining program. The youth are also able to earn money themselves through sale of cd's, dvd's, clothing, tickets to events and other promotional activities.
Entertainment BIO
Ali envisions a world where people of all ages will
live together in Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice.
Entertainment:
Shakeel Ali was born August 30th 1970. His name at birth was Artis Lewis III.
He has amazed audiences as a singer, musician, actor, fashion model, emcee, story-teller and inspirational speaker.
Shakeel began performing at an early age in church and in school. At age nine he started playing piano and other musical instruments by ear. This was also the time that he heard "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang, and instantly became immersed in Hip Hop music and culture.
At age 12 Ali learned to play Saxophone with the Advanced Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra at Aptos Middle School. Although he was a quiet and relatively shy youth; Shakeel always exuded great stage presence whether singing, playing music, acting or speaking. His mother enrolled him in after school acting classes for the duration of his teen years.
While attending San Francisco University High School. Shakeel expanded his repertoire to operettas and had a few minor roles in the school's performance of "The Mikado"He also played saxophone in the Jazz Band and sang in the school's chorus.
Shakeel Performed with the famous Phillip Burton Touch of Class Choir and even traveled to Ireland as part of the first official U.S. Delegation to participate in the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade. Shakeel not only sang with the choir, but he replaced the drummer who unexpectedly transferred to another school. During his membership in the T.O.C.C. choir Shakeel learned to professionally perform Classical, Jazz, Contemporary and Gospel Music
While still a young teen, Shakeel sang and played drums and saxophone in the Adult Choir at Little Bethany Baptist Church in San Francisco.
As a College Student he was a member of the choir at City College of San Francisco. He organized and headlined the first student-lead Hip Hop concert.
At San Francisco State University, he took classes in the Theory and Technique of Acting and also a course in Story-telling.
Currently Shakeel is an Executive Producer and Event Promoter for the Alternative School of Knowledge Hip-Hop Multi Media Collaborative.
"Music is my Lifeline" Ali says, "I enjoy any kind of music that has a message to it. " "If it makes me think about The Creator and the higher things in life, then it moves me."
Ali credits his development to the inspiration of many recording artists.
He names Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, Prince, Dr. Dre, Rakim, and RZA, as some of his influences.
Internet Movie Database...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3194635/resume
ASK Academy Promo's produced & presented by Access SF/Cable Channel 29.
http://accessfpromos.blogspot.com/2007/04/alternative-school-of-knowledg...
Film Festivals: PALM TREES DOWN 3RD STREET directed by Maria Judice
Queen Latifah Announced as 2008 Honorary Chair of Urbanworld Film Festival Presented by BET Networks
http://www.examiner.com/p-213544~Queen_Latifah_Announced_as_2008_Honorar...
Audio Rebellion Documentary: http://www.myspace.com/blockreportfilm
Hip-Hop Matters Project: The students, all participants of the University of San Francisco Upward Bound Program attend High School in the San Francisco Unified School District. This award winning work is an example of what happens when an educational challenge excites students. More about these extraordinary projects can be found at http://www.triothinkquest.org.
Formal Education:
Associate's Degree from City College of San Francisco
B. A. Degree in Social Science and Ethnic Studies; San Francisco State University.
Pre-K through 12th Grade Teaching Credential
Master Teacher Credential for Child Development
Ali Has completed over 18 years in Indigenous Studies at the Redwind Institute of Higher Learning and Intelligence.