A 36-year-old native of Syracuse, New York’s South Side, Morris used to make rap
records under the name "Skratch." He soon blossomed into a national recording
artist, multi-business owner, and popular DJ/radio personality on Power 102.1FM,
a radio station Morris co-owned and operated. As his career progressed, Morris
grew increasingly unfulfilled by the extravagant party lifestyle associated with
the entertainment industry. Seeing his community increase in crime and violence
with an ever increasing high school drop out rate he opened the School of the
Hearts in 2000.
Now when Morris raps it’s under the name "Godchild" and his message is more than
entertainment. School of the Hearts is an after-school program that offers
classes in music, dance, theater, film and radio and television production for
middle & high school aged youth. Morris quickly realized his strong influence on
youth and began to draw large numbers of students into his program. Seeing the
continued budget cuts in public middle and high schools across America, Morris
realized that the performing arts, dance, music, and other nonacademic programs
were disappearing. Understanding that not all youth are interested in athletics,
Morris found it extremely important to keep performing arts, dance, music, and
other nonacademic programs available for youth.
Coming from an inner city single parent home himself, he found it necessary that
these programs not only be made available, but also affordable. Now in his
school’s eighth year of operation and with national attention from the US
Department of Education Morris has plans to expand his school into a faith based
full day performing arts middle & high school charter starting in Syracuse, New
York. Morris feels it is not enough to develop artistic and academic skills
without developing spiritual growth and also providing a platform for students
to apply their newly developed talents and maximize their potential. So he
formed Kingdom Entertainment Company, Inc., a production company that would
allow his students active involvement in the company’s various productions as
well as allow him to reach an even larger demographic and spread his positive
content through producing entertaining, inspirational and educational television
programs, films, music CD’s and video games.
“The opportunity to be seen and heard on radio or TV gives youth involved in our programs great incentive to excel in their gifts and talents as well as academically.” Says Morris. In addition to his professional production staff Morris has certified academic teachers on staff to ensure academic excellence and create the educational link in his programming and books. Morris was one of the Central New Yorkers who worked to bring music industry executive Russell Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit to Syracuse in 2004.