Positive People Profile
Andrew “ JR ” Tarver One man shares many gifts with the community and talents with the world
By Sabrina Childress
Years ago a young man studying speech and communication at Bethune Cookman University became known around campus as the Renaissance Man . Today that names still rings true for Andrew “ JR ” Tarver . “ I probably got the name because I had my hands in so many pots ,” said Tarver . When he wasn ’ t in class Tarver said he spent time as the school ’ s radio station manager , helping broadcast football games or playing in the band . Years later not much has changed as Tarver ’ s life story unfolds to reveal many roles and many chapters . Son and grandson , Husband and father , Actor , Entrepreneur , Youth mentor , Community leader , and then some .
Inspired by the wisdom of his grandmother , his love for history and his head for business emerged . “ From what I would see at home with my grandmother , a woman with a third grade education who was raised by a sharecropper , reading the newspaper everyday and providing counsel to ministers in the community , I knew something was missing from the history books that only focused on slavery and Dr . Martin Luther King , Jr .,” said Tarver . “ I would sit at the ministers ’ feet , at the feet of wisdom , and learn while making money shining shoes . In my day children were not allowed to speak while adults were in the room . My grandmother would always say ‘ Most of what you learn is with your ears ’, and ‘ Everything you need is in the Bible , and faith can move mountains ,” said Tarver .
Tarver also learned valuable lessons from his mother . “ Half of my character came from my mother ,” said Tarver . “ Especially my firmness . She was a no-nonsense woman , but at the same time she was respected in our family .” Tarver said sometimes family members would approach his mother about a situation hoping to bring her over to seeing things their way . Instead family members would walk away with a new way of looking at things . “ She would let you talk and let you answer your own question as you realized the right thing to do ,” said Tarver .
Tarver grew up from a grandson to become a husband to Pamela , and a father to their two sons William and Langston Hughes – a nod to Tarver ’ s love for Black History . “ I didn ’ t want my sons to ever feel the pain I felt as a child ,” said Tarver . “ I never made a promise I wasn ’ t able to keep . I wouldn ’ t trade being a father for nothing in the world . The good outweighs the challenges . I enjoy watching my sons stand on their own , functioning in society as good citizens and contributing back to humanity .”
Tarver pursues his acting passion throughout his longstanding career with an international courier service . “ I ’ ve always been more of the right brain , creative type ,” said Tarver . “ With acting I can take off the jacket of me and slip on pieces of the characters I play . I ’ m more comfortable on stage than anywhere else .” As an actor , Tarver has appeared in more than 30 plays including “ The Colored Museum ,” “ No Place to be Somebody ,” and “ Spunk .” He has also appeared in motion pictures , including Rosewood .
“ When it comes to acting I ’ ve appeared in commercials , industry films , motion pictures and theater . I prefer the more intimate theater venues ,” said Tarver . “ In this setting you feel the energy from the crowd and take them on the ride with you .” Malcolm X is Tarver ’ s favorite character to play and he hopes to one day play Sam Cooke .“ “ I played Malcolm on stage for five years ,” said Tarver . “ Sam Cooke was a trailblazer – the first Black to own a record company . He is the most borrowed from singer of the last 50 years . He was the original first rapper in a song . There are so many layers to the man .”
Tarver said he also hopes to one day play Dr . Oswald Bronson . “ Dr . Bronson is a former president of Bethune Cookman University and a friend of Anderson Hill who has written a book that tells of his [ Hill ] personal fall as BCU ’ s lawyer ,” said Tarver . “ Hill is working on putting it into a play or movie . Dr . Bronson has been a mentor and father figure to me for 30 plus years . I know him better than any actor and it would be an honor to play him .”
In an extensive career Tarver has worked with many actors including Don Cheadle , Ving Rhames , Jon Voight and the late Esther Rolle . He has also worked with a number of directors including John Singleton , Elizabeth Van Dyke ( also an actor ) and Anthony B . Major ( also an actor and professor ). In addition Tarver has hosted shows featuring B . B . King , the late Bobby “ Blue ” Bland , the Ohio Players and The Bar-Kays . He has also interviewed Rev . Jesse Jackson , Sr ., Dionne Warrick , the late Dorothy Height , and the late George Duke .
Kevin Rushing is a veteran actor who has worked with Tarver on more than four theater productions including “ Two Trains Running ” and “ Jitney ” by August Wilson , and a play called “ The Meeting ,” a fictitious meeting of Malcolm X and Dr . Martin Luther King , utilizing the words of the two men . Over the course of time and stage performances , Rushing learned from Tarver . “ What I ’ ve learned from JR is that hard work pays off ,” said Rushing . “ When I first met JR he had just finished the film “ Rosewood .” Rushing describes Tarver ’ s
Positive People Profile Andrew JR Tarver Orlando , Florida October 2014
Andrew “ JR ” Tarver acting talents as impeccable . “ Passionate , consistent , and realistic ,” said Rushing . “ He is the most consistent person as an actor . JR is consistent as an actor , he is where he ’ s supposed to be in time . Tarver is ready to go when it is show time . There are no excuses as he is always ready for a show . He consistently delivers quality work and does what needs be done .”
Tarver also uses his right brain wave activities in creative business ventures such music directing for special events and productions . Tarver ’ s path to youth mentorship is rooted in his own childhood experiences . “ God always provided a ram in the bush for me , someone who encouraged me ,” said Tarver . “ There were things I missed out on because I didn ’ t grow up with my father . I did have a stepfather for several years off and on for a few years . My uncle stepped in and I joined the Boy Scouts .” Because someone was there for him , Tarver wants to be role model for youth in the community . “ Many kids do not have a male role model , in some cases their father is absent ,” said Tarver . “ I want to be a positive influence in their lives .”
Tarver first began working with youth as a camp director in his early adult years . “ Cecilia Williams hired me for my first job working with youth ,” said Tarver . “ It was an invaluable experience .” Since then Tarver has been a coach for football and baseball teams and participated in other youth initiatives . Tarver has been involved in many youth programs at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville , including brain bowl competitions , Boy Scout Troops , and theater productions . Tarver also served on the Trustee Board and participated in the Men ’ s Choir . “ I want youth to develop a sense of history and pride , and interact with other youth behind them and share their experiences ,” said Tarver .
Charlotte Pope , youth director at Macedonia , has worked with Tarver on different youth activities including special presentations during Black History Month . Pope said Tarver is always willing to help with programs , always saying yes to opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of youths . “ He [ Tarver ] has a heart for young people ,” said Pope . “ He is always giving of his time .” Pope said Tarver mirrors the characteristics he works to build in youths . “ He models who he would want them to be ,” said Pope . “ He is honest , prompt and hardworking . He is committed to what he says yes to . You need these things to be accomplished in this world .”
Years ago , Tarver worked with Akeem Jones in the church ’ s Boy Scouts Troop . They met through a friendship with Tarver ’ s son William . The friends were in the same Troop . “ He [ Tarver ] is like a second dad to me ,’’ said Jones . Jones said if he ever got out of line , Tarver would show tough love as he helped him understand what he had done wrong . “ Growing up as a child you don ’ t always understand or know what adults are trying to tea you . Last year I lost my father . One of the first people to be there for my family was Mr . Tarver and his wife . “ As an adult you see it was for your benefit . Jones recalls lessons from both his father and Tarver about the importance of looking out for family and making sure to take care of his mother and sister because one day he might become the man of the house . “ My mind resonates on that now because I ’ ve been pushed into that role ,” said Jones . “ I thank Mr . Tarver for those tidbits through the way . I truly and deeply love him and thank him for what he has done for me and my family .”
Tarver also extends his community outreach efforts through membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , Inc . Tarver has served as the chapter ’ s historian , and keeper of peace . “ Growing up , leaders in Omega Psi Phi poured in me a strong sense community ,” said Tarver . “ One was Robert Scott , Sr ., our family ’ s insurance man . He took an interest in me as a young man and was a major influence in me joining the fraternity . I want to continue pouring into others .” Tarver said his sense of community and giving back was also strengthened by BCU ’ s motto , “ Enter to Learn , Depart to Serve .”