Kwame Rakes(I)

Born in Richmond, VA Kwame's climb up the entertainment ladder has been an unorthodox one. His route has been much more scenic than local. At the tender age of 16, he got his start in Musical Theater with the High School Production of Godspell and forever became ensnared in the net of the Entertainment Business. At that point his love for the arts was sparked and that production led him to pursue a career in the Entertainment Industry. In his confident naivete he felt he was on his way to becoming an overnight star. The road of pursuit had begun. After graduating High School he starred in various Community Theater productions.

Soon the detours of life would intervene and Kwame Joined the United States Army in 1995. Thus the road of pursuit became very windy with many forks. Sincere about his commitment to our great nation he served seven years in the Virginia Army National Guard and worked his way through College to earn his B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Norfolk State University. Unbeknownced at the time those decisions would eventually come full circle to drop him right on the doorstep of his destiny.

After College Graduation Kwame was eager to work in Broadcast Media. He took a job at WVEC Channel 13 in Norfolk, VA as a Production Assistant. Although far removed from performing at this point, there was still a burning desire in his heart to do so. Always concerned about his community and giving back Kwame showed his love for the arts by working within the community teaching young performers at local recreation centers the basics of acting and character development skills. A staunch advocate for gender equality he also led workshops for the Girl Scouts of America Piedmont Region in Chesapeake, VA. As a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc, community was something he was extremely devoted to and he has done various projects in support of that.

Although for many years his own dreams and desires took a back seat to the realities of life, they never truly left him. He continued his pursuit on that ever winding road and finally in 2005 got his big break as a Voiceover Specialist. He has since done countless Commercials, PSA's, Promotionals, Event Hosting's as well as Film and Acting Gigs. In 2019 Kwame started Rakes Family Enterprises LLC, taking the seat of CEO and Founder. Now a Businessman as well as a performer he has more control over the direction his career takes. Most recently he is starring in the critically acclaimed film, The Black Walnut which focuses on the devastation of Prostate Cancer in the Black community. Kwame is also one of the lead voices in the Animated Series Entitled Weird Waters. In addition, he is also the voice of The Krystal Burger Franchise and the NCAA, just to name a few. So although his career journey has been full a twist and turns, those bumps in the road have created a beautiful tapestry of work and a great promise for the future.