On the next episode of B.L.E.S.C in The City this April 19, 2023.

Next week on BLESC in the city, we will have Ibn Sharif Shakoor.

Ibn Sharif Shakoor, Co-Founder of The Spot JC LLC and Spot JC Foundation, is a licensed teacher, school counselor and therapist. Ibn Graduated from Saint Peter’s University with a Master of Arts in Education. He is also a songwriter, poet, and creative from Jersey City, New Jersey. He is best known for his soulful lyrics, creative visuals, as well as classroom lessons that connect hip-hop to the world of education.

Ibn Sharif Shakoor was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on March 11, 1986. He was raised in Jersey City. After playing the trumpet as a child, Ibn began to explore the world of poetry. His early writings were a reflection of his dysfunctional upbringing. Ibn continues to create music, and direct videos while simultaneously educating youth, mainly in Jersey City, New Jersey. In many of his lessons, the objective is to encourage students to reach beyond the surface of the everyday school curriculum.

Ibn Sharif Shakoor was born to Pamela Crayton and Sharif Shakoor. Around Ibn’s third birthday, his father, Sharif, was sentenced to eight years in prison. By the time Ibn turned five years old, his mother, Pamela, became addicted to both crack and heroin. He lived with his great-grandmother, who was a pianist and writer until her death when he was in the sixth grade. The foundation laid by his great-grandmother influenced Ibn to become an excellent student and superb writer. 

Ibn was directly touched by witnessing his mother abuse drugs, often experiencing late-night convocations on dangerous street corners filled with violence. As a natural-born artist and observer, Ibn turned to the likes of Method Man, Jay Z, and Spike Lee as sources of inspiration and as an outlet from the harsh realities of life. He also credits Ms. Jacqueline Boroughs and Ms. Tommie Stephens for helping channel his inner creativity. Both were teachers in the Jersey City Public School System who, he says, went beyond the textbooks to educate youth. He is currently working diligently to cement his legacy as a creative educator through his different forms of art and interaction with youth through The Spot JC Foundation.