New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 5 | Page 19

achieving fame as a member of the acclaimed hip-hop group The Fugees, Jean is a nine-time Grammy award nominee and a three-time Grammy winner. A graduate of Newark’s Vails- burg High School, Jean humbly accepts his induction into the Hall of Fame by thanking his music teacher, whom he says changed his life. Talking about the power of music and sports in schools, Jean receives cheers from the au- dience when he strongly advises, “We need to protect these pro- NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 5 grams in the schools.” Jean also tells the crowd personal stories about growing up in New Jersey, working alongside his father, a custodian, who taught him, “As long as you do something with pride, America gives you an op- portunity.” Actor Ray Liotta — well known for roles in such Hollywood films as Goodfellas and Field of Dreams, and who currently stars on television in NBC’s Shades of Blue with Jennifer Lopez — says, “I always wanted to be in the INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 19