Jermaine “J-Main” Daniels

Jermaine “J-Main” Daniels

Role: founder of Da Church House music program

Backstory:

  • Raised in the church by his grandfather, but drawn to the streets in his teen years.

  • Deeply gifted in music—keyboardist and beatmaker; used to play for the church band.

  • Had close calls with jail, and lost close friends to the game.

  • Got out and began using music to mentor kids informally before proposing the full program.

Arc:

  • Quiet strength, deeply introspective.

  • Can be blunt when necessary, especially with the youth.

  • Has a pastor's heart without the title—relates deeply to pain and survival.

  • Battles with his past—never fully feels “worthy” of leadership.

Malik “Smoke” Johnson

Malik “Smoke” Johnson

Age: 16

Backstory:

  • Alpha male energy. Quick to fight. In a gang.

  • Lost his brother to gun violence.

  • Writes brutal, honest lyrics about his life.

  • Has raw talent as a lyricist, but refuses to filter his message.

Arc:

  • Learns that strength is found in healing, not violence.

  • Becomes a leader among the other group members.

Andre “Dre” Thomas

Andre “Dre” Thomas

Age: 15

Backstory:

  • Struggles with reading and writing—hid it for years.

  • Deeply insecure, uses jokes and clowning to hide his pain.

  • Obsessed with beats, becomes Jermaine’s apprentice in the studio.

Arc:

  • Learns to read through making music.

  • Eventually produces tracks for the showcase performance.

Tasha Renae Lewis

Tasha Renae Lewis

Age: 17

 Backstory:

  • Teen mother. Her child is with her aunt.

  • Writes poetry and hooks. Hides her trauma under a “strong Black woman” front.

  • Disconnected from her own faith due to abuse from someone in the church growing up.

Arc:

  • Reconnects with her faith through honest dialogue and music.

  • Sings the opening solo in the final showcase.

Raymond “Ray-Ray” Ellis

Raymond “Ray-Ray” Ellis

Age: 14

Backstory:

  • On the autism spectrum. Has a speech impediment and avoids eye contact.

  • Obsessed with sound frequencies and rhythm patterns.

  • Doesn’t speak much—just listens and plays drum pads.

Arc:

  • Ends up delivering a short rap at the showcase that moves the whole room.

  • Inspires Jermaine to create a special needs division of the program.

Jalen “J-Way” Willis

Jalen “J-Way” Willis

Age: 16

Backstory:

  • Intelligent but deeply angry. Feels abandoned by his father, who is in prison.

  • Writes vivid, smart bars—talks about justice, police, betrayal.

  • Constantly tests authority.

Arc:

  • Learns leadership through studio teamwork.

Tony “T-Mac” Smith

Tony “T-Mac” Smith

Age: 15

Backstory:

  • Cocky, talented, lacks trust and is very skeptical.

  • Follower that hides behind a “tough guy” mask yet lacks direction

  • Instigator at heart

Arc:

  • In order to feel that Da Church House program works, he has to see it to believe it.