James R. Baylis

James is the 10th of 14 siblings, the 3rd of 4 son's Elmer & Clara Baylis, his hometown is Harrow Ontario Canada , his African ancestors Angolans came to North America (South Carolina) via the slave trade 1710, which at their first opportunity ran up into Canada presiding along the North shores of Lake Erie to a Place called the Pleasant Valley were you'll find Uncle Tom's Cabin and the birthplace of Elisha McCoy a stone throw from the front doors of a church established by Fugitive slaves 1790 . His Father when as a young man was known as a great hunter trapper as well as a pitcher & second base in the Canadian Negro Baseball leagues, later stilled down into marriage(1941), first working his farm and then later to make ends meet with so many kids and a few with special needs also work for the Ford Motor company foundry (Windsor Ontario) pouring the engine block for the 351 & 352 ,. James mother Clara, a farmers daughter known as a Great Powerfull Gospel singer, during 40's & 50's 60's with her sister Vera playing piano the two performed in some of the churches in Detroit that gave birth to the Motown sound. james & his siblings sang in numerous churches under the direction of his mother, a few siblings sang on major labels, not James thing at the time, fore he had a lust for Adventure. As there were so many kids and some still in diapers when James was born, his grandmother which live a flowerbed way took James in and reared him in her loving 1880's ways, Untold African North American history was James bedtime stories. In 1963 James attend Colchester South Segregated School System till 1966 when a young Elliott Trudeau confronted the Canadian parliament and assisted in removing legislation of segregation, which brought them into the Public school system, and then introduce James to new friends & racism, James first experience of racism was his first drama class audition ( Oliver) a bedtime story he knew very well, however, when attempting the role while in line with the rest of the kids was told by the drama teacher "I'm sorry JAMES but Oliver isn't Black". James was told later by his grandmother, " that time's are changing Slowly, but for now, no matter how good you are they aren't going to accept you, but in time things may change, he held fast to that. James when on with life, lived out his bedtime stories moved to High River Alberta Canada became a Cowboy, later work with at-risk kids, then utilized what his grandmother taught him in the art of Practical Herbalism, he became a commercial Wildcrafter Wilderness Outfitter. Still, he longs for the stage, 1997 Ron Allen member of the 50's 60's Dead Poets offered James the role of Tyrome Smith "The Aboriginal Treatment Center (Detroit Mi) among his own "The times have changed", his first film gig was with Chirs Haddock, from that point on james became more confident and well known in this business of the Craft . James Greatest asset is his voice, which over time has improved and empowered his verbal storytelling.