By Jaleesa Johnson
As a comedian, I’m no stranger to fear. Specifically, fear of the unknown. Will this joke land? Will the audience hate my nasally voice? Will someone throw a tomato at me? Each new show brings its own set of unknown possibilities. So why do I do it? Why throw myself in the ring if I’m afraid of conflict? Perhaps, it’s because sometimes facing your greatest fears is the only way to conquer them. How would I ever become a comedian if I allowed my fear to hold me back? Similarly, how can any of us accomplish our dreams if we allow fear to hold us back? Art, in itself, is healing. And no matter what walk of life you stem from, your perspective is valuable. That is the message and spirit of the Barrio Logan community. If you’ve ever visited the dynamic neighborhood, you would know that it is blanketed with local outdoor artwork. Its greatest landmark, Chicano Park, is home to the nation’s largest collection of murals, sculptures, and earthwork architecture. This neighborhood is bursting with local talent just awaiting any opportunity to express themselves and their culture, against all odds. And that’s where thChrch comes in.
thChrch (pronounced The Church) may be a safe haven for its vibrant Barrio Logan community, however, it’s no church at all. The live event, multi-media and educational center first opened its doors to local artists in 2013 — just five stores down from its new home. For local low-income artists, thChrch is a beacon of hope — where they can create, share, and learn how to become an entrepreneur.
“It’s a place where you can create your own job,” explains Ramel J. Wallace, Barrio Logan native and founder of thChrch. “We’re helping artists become entrepreneurs because we see the small business owner as an artist, as well.”
Now residing on the lively corner of Logan Ave & Sampson St., thChrch is in the process of installing its latest addition to the neighborhood: a brand new music studio.
“We were gonna wait until the end of the year to finish the studio, but then this company called G.R.O.W. from New York caught wind of one of our videos,” Wallace recalls. After relocating to San Diego and visiting thChrch, G.R.O.W. immediately put up the $3,000 sponsorship for the studio. Wallace and his team are looking for someone to match that sponsorship. He adds, “[this] will allow us to build our dreams and bring thChrch that much closer to being self-sustainable.”
The new studio, named Holyfield Music Studio, is especially significant to Wallace, who just released a 10-track music project called Kali.
“Music is my main thing,” Wallace states. “That’s my whole push. That’s what motivates me to do all of this for everybody.” Kali, the inspiration for Wallace’s full-length mixtape, is the Hindu Goddess of power, beauty, and the art of pushing someone out of their comfort zone in order for them to grow.
“We often fear darkness–things we can’t control,” Wallace explains. “That fear makes us avoid getting better. But if you learn to accept what these fears are, interact with them–learn to dance with them–then it ultimately becomes a more enlightened path.” Wallace is in the works of launching a national college tour where he can spread his message of learning to ‘dance with one’s fears’, as well as share his music with the nation’s youth. “It helps with that whole healing process. I’m creating something where people can continue to create something. That’s what this studio is all about.”
