Big Homey

Big Homey (Jeffrey Banks) started performing inspirational spoken word in August 2003. He cultivated his talents in his teenage years as a songwriter, musician and public speaker. Throughout college and his professional career, he developed stage presence through performing in pageants and producing quality events. Big Homey has had the privilege of working with notable artists such as "Whats Happening!" star, the late Fred Rerun Berry; Stellar Award winner, Maurette Brown Clark; Stellar Award winning announcer, Tracy Morgan and national recording artists, Cross Movement. The veteran promoter worked with Deron Cloud's "Boyfriend/Girlfriend Thang" tour, the Christian nightclub, Club JC's, and he spearheaded promotional campaigns throughout the East Coast for the past ten years. Big Homey's spoken word started to capture national attention when people learned of his tremendous weight loss testimony. He has lost over 250 pounds without having to resort to gastric bypass surgery and his significant weight loss allowed him to stop taking medicine for Type II Diabetes after injecting insulin for almost 12 years. His story has been featured in the January 2005 ESSENCE Magazine, the April 22, 2005 CBS Early Show, and he was recently featured in the August 2006 BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine. He has had performed on XM Radio, Heaven 1580 AM, and 96.3 WHUR-FM. He is also a regular contributor for the top-rated WPGC 95.5 FM's Thursday night "Love Jones Poetry Café" on Love Talk and Slow Jams. He consistently shares his poetry at church engagements, nightclubs and coffeehouses. Big Homeys message of encouragement has opened unique ministerial opportunities for him. Big Homey has been a contributor to the NBC 4 "Health and Fitness Expo", United States Senate Health Fair, United States House of Representatives Health Fair, Bobby Jones' "Urban Impact Summit" and numerous community activities. He has been a feature at the 2005 "For Sisters Only" at the Washington Convention Center, a two-time finalist for Baltimores Smooth Jazz WSMJ 104.3 FM's "Stage Sessions", Zanzibar on the Waterfront, and the National Baptist Deacons Convention. He has had the chance to share the stage and/or do events in conjunction with renowned worship leader, Ron Kenoly; 2000 Olympic Gold Medal Winner and retired NBA Star, Allan Houston; national rapper from The Lost Boyz, Mr. Cheeks; famous author and physician, Dr. Ben Carson and radio/television veteran, Prince Da Jour. Big Homey's album, "Exposed-The EP", is the poetic testimonial of the trials and victories of a Christian Believer. His selections deal with the heaviness of weight and the heaviness of life. Exposed is a spin on the late 1980's Zapp hit, "Computer Love". The title cut and "Down" deal with being victorious over sexual bondage. "Spit" and "Drunk" discuss how molestation can be the root of addictive behaviors and how God is able to heal us through any situation. "Yes I Can", a poem inspired by the popular "Nutty Professor" movie sound byte, is a weight loss anthem of encouragement. "I Want Better" and "Victory Anthem" teach people how to love themselves through God's refining process. Big Homey's production company, Genuine Praise Productions, is inspired by 1 Peter 1:7 (NIV): These have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved GENUINE and may result in PRAISE, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. He is in ministerial training at the Howard University School of Divinity. He is under the mentorship of Rev. Harold L. Gray, Sr. of Lighthouse Christian Church where he is a leader in the weekly Washington, DC homeless outreach and Friday Night Howard University Bible Studies. On Sundays, he regularly attends Zion Church in Largo, Maryland where Keith Battle is Pastor. Links to media stories: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/22/earlyshow/leisure/ books/main690223.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories (Watch Video)http://www.fitsolution.org/Testimonials.html