Urban Vision Entertainment CEO

Background:

Having been performing since a young age, Melvin Jackson Jr. started out as a model before eventually switching to acting. He has appeared in the films "Annapolis" (2006), "Annapolis" (2006), "After Autumn" (2007), "The Mannsfield 12" (2007), and "Blue" (2008). He will next be seen in the upcoming films "Hittin' the Bricks" and "I.E."

On the small screen, this 5' 7½" performer has appeared in the TV shows "America's Most Wanted," "Hack," "The Wire," and "Everybody Hates Chris."

Melvin is also a rap artist by the name of J. Reed and the President and CEO of Urban Vision Entertainment.

J. Reed

Childhood and Family:

In Washington, D. C., Melvin Jackson Jr., nicknamed “J. Reed,” was born on April 4, 1981. At a young age, he stayed in Islamabad, Pakistan for four and a half years and lived in Ankara, Turkey for four years. He attended Fairmont Heights High and graduated from Bowie State University with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts.

The Feelings We Have Inside

Career:

While living in Islamabad, Pakistan at a young age, and Melvin Jackson Jr. began to perform in many talent shows as a rap artist. He also performed in the school band while living in Ankara, Turkey. In high school, he began writing poetry and songs, which later he put together in a poetry book called “The Feelings We Have Inside.”

In his first year in college, Melvin began to manage music artists. Shortly thereafter, he started modeling in the local area and was discovered by a modeling management company. He has appeared in TV commercials for "Miller Beer," "Red Cross," and “Edge” shaving gel, as well as in a Alcohol Awareness Training video. He was later asked to audition for an acting job and has since fallen in love with the profession.

In 2003, Melvin appeared in the made-for-television movie based on John Grisham's book, "The Street Lawyer," and was spotted as a guest in an episode of FOX long-running TV show "America's Most Wanted." In the following year, he guest-starred as a drug dealer in an episode of CBS crime/drama series "Hack" and played Bernard in multiple episodes of HBO crime/drama series "The Wire."

From 2005 to 2006, Melvin played various characters (as a bully, thug, and graduate student) in several episodes of UPN/The CW Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris." During this time, he had uncredited roles in the 2006 films "Annapolis," director Justin Lin's motion picture starring James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, and Jordana Brewster, and "Step Up," a dance/romance film directed by Anne Fletcher starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.

In 2007, Melvin was cast in Jamal Hill's film "After Autumn" and Craig Ross Jr.'s film "The Mannsfield 12." Recently, in 2008, he appeared in Ryan Miningham's drama "Blue" and Ezekiel Dickson's straight-to-video released comedy "House Arrest."

Melvin will soon complete his upcoming film project, "Hittin' the Bricks," a musical crime/drama directed by Brian T. Jaynes, and is now working on Billy Wright's action movie, "I.E.," alongside Snoop Dogg and Sticky Fingaz.

By this time, Melvin has appeared in the theater production "Where was God?" and was in the movie "Dave & Matt's Adventure in Africa,” “XXX: State of the Union” (playing a soldier), “Ladder 49” (as a church member), and in the television show "My World."

Besides acting, Melvin is also a rap artist by the name of J. Reed and the President and CEO of Urban Vision Entertainment, which manages R&B singer Tony Bonz and rap artists Red Cross and The 1st F.A.M.M.

He has appeared in several music videos, including for R&B star Lil Mo, Tony Yayo's (featuring G-Unit) "I Know You Don't Love Me," and in the “Cool Hi” featuring Sisqo.

Melvin has written two screenplays “When the Shoe’s on the Other Foot” and “The Game Done Changed.” He is currently working on his third “The Game of Life” and is producing the films “Tough Like Wearing Dreadlocks” with co-producer Ayanna Mcharry, “Tobacco Valley” with Iona Mogul & Jamal Northington, “Around My Way & Parrallel Lives” with Wayne Byrd, and his reality show “My Way.”

Awards:
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