STEPHAN BAX, Ghetto University Founder
A graduate of Holy Cross High School in New York City, Bax had his ups and downs as a student and as a basketball player but came out of it pretty well in the end. Chasing a dream of playing Division 1 college basketball, he set his sights on the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with the hope of walking on. It was then that Bax realized that there was more to D1 athletics than just being able to consistently knock down a jumper from 35 feet (so he claims). Somewhat disenfranchised, Bax left the college life after his sophomore year and departed down the path of entrepreneurship and opened his first business, Dave's Baxstage Bar. Simultaneously, he began to get involved in Wilmington's thriving Film business where he worked his way up to the Production Coordinator on a number of national and regional television commercials. After a long stint in North Carolina, Bax moved to Baltimore and signed on as a member of the crew for HBO's mega-hit drama "The Wire" on which Bax has worked for the last two seasons and on which Ghetto U had its national debut. Throughout his varied and eclectic career, Bax has always kept a finger on the pulse of cool, particularly in the black community and much of his life over the last several years has been a single minded focus on developing and launching the brand Ghetto University.
Message from Bax:
When I first started thinking about Ghetto University, all I could see is everyone from all ages, races and backgrounds feeling what I had to say. I saw the young kids rocking cool sweatshirts and t-shirts, guys wearing GU letterman's jackets, women chillin' in our sweaters and other folks collecting various Ghetto U items like banners and what have you. Ghetto University is such universal concept and the Ghetto U bookstore is your place to get the gear. Johno got it right away and got his people on board with it. Our company is very diverse, which is exactly what Ghetto U is about. So get on point and listen to what we are saying - Knowledge. Respect. Diversity.
JOHNO MORISANO, Partner
Morisano grew up and still lives in New York City. The son of a fireman, Morisano has spent his entire career helping to build and run media companies. From his first job forward, Morisano has always found himself at the heart of a company's operations and thrives on the early stages of taking an idea from just an idea into something great. He's an accountant by training but for a long time now, through his company Sunshine Direct (www.sunshinecompanies.com), he has been working with people like Bax, who have a great concept, and helping them with the money and the management they need to bring that concept to life.
Message from Johno:
When Steve Bax pitched me the idea for Ghetto U, I immediately knew we had something exciting. I called up my three partners, Tim Nye, Bill Apfelbaum and Lisa Eisenpresser and everyone was unanimous. It may not shock you, but I didn't grow up in the Ghetto. I have, though, worked hard my whole life and I learned as much from hanging out as I did in high school and college. Bax's idea, that schoolrooms are everywhere, really struck a chord with me. I'm ecstatic to be involved with Ghetto U and I hope you enjoy the gear as much as we enjoy bringing it to you.
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