How did this Fresno native land in the latest Jay-Z and Pharrell video? His story is inspiring

A Fresno native and West Side product who dreamed big and chased after his grand goals was featured in the latest Pharrell and Jay-Z music video.

And this worldwide recognition for TyAnthony Davis is just his latest shining moment.

Davis, 32, grew up in one of Fresno’s most disadvantaged parts of town and still went on to earn a law degree from Harvard.

Davis was spotlighted in the rap video “Entrepreneur” not only because he graduated from Harvard Law, but because he’s a Black man who started his own school in Los Angeles to pursue a passion for helping other children from underprivileged backgrounds.

“I love the song’s message and the ideas it’s promoting,” said Davis, who also was selected for the video in part because his brother Archie Davis works in the music industry as an executive at RCA records.

“For me, the lyrics are a reminder of our power,” Davis added. “As a Black man and a member of the Black community, it’s a call to action.

“It’s a reminder that we need to push and support one another and remind each another of our value.”

Pharrell and Jay-Z lyrics

The Pharrell and Jay-Z song generated nearly 3 million views within five days after debuting Aug. 21 on YouTube.

Davis is hopeful the song’s hook and beat isn’t the only thing that sticks with its listeners — but the message, too.

Throughout the video, other Black men and women who’ve achieved success in various careers are spotlighted, including rapper/actor Tyler, the Creator and Nicholas Johnson, the first Black valedictorian at Princeton University.

The intro lines of the song, which tackles systemic racism, provide a message of motivation:

“I am Black ambition.

“I am always whisperin’

“They keep tellin’ me I will not

“But my will won’t listen.”

From Fresno Unified to Ivy League

As the youngest of three boys and raised by a juvenile hall correction officer (father Keith Davis) and a secretary at Fresno State (Sonia Davis), TyAnthony learned that studying, hard work and the support from others could help him tap into his power and potential.

TyAnthony, in particular, credited his second-grade teacher Sheila White and assistant principal Brendel Jackson for pushing him to dream big while he attended Kirk Elementary on the southwest side of town — and then providing a plan to achieve it.

By the fourth grade, Davis transferred to Manchester GATE elementary school, where he received a more rigorous curriculum that challenged him further.

Davis then went on to graduate from Bullard High in 2005 before earning a bachelor’s degree from Yale University (majored in African-American studies) while also playing football for the Ivy League school.

Still, Davis wasn’t yet satisfied as he continued to work toward his dreams.

So he started teaching fourth-graders in Las Vegas as part of the Teach for America program while also earning a master’s degree from UNLV (emphasis on curriculum and instruction).

But he still yearned to keep working and striving for something bigger, with more impact.

So Davis returned to the East Coast and pursued a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School.

“It takes a special person to go from the west side of Fresno and earn a law degree from Harvard,” said Don Arax, his football coach at Bullard High. “Ty’s always been one of those guys whose future is literally unlimited.

“He brings the grittiness of a football player and mixes that with a very high level of intelligence and a high standard of integrity.”

Leaving law, opening Vox Collegiate

The Harvard law degree set up Davis for a life of corporate law in Los Angeles.

Two years in, Davis realized that while practicing in the corporate law world was lucrative, it was not as satisfying as teaching and helping others. He quit his job at the law firm to make a bigger difference in the world.

But he didn’t want to just teach again.

Davis dreamed a bigger dream, one that could impact more underprivileged youths.

So in 2017, partly out of frustration with certain schools in Los Angeles Unified that struggled to educate Black children, Davis started his own school.

A public charter middle school called Vox Collegiate.

“I have theories of how education should work and wanted to build a proving point for South L.A., especially for Black students who’ve been left behind,” Davis said. “Vox in Latin means ‘voice.’ Our school is about elevating students’ voices and teaching them how to tell their stories.”

Prior to the pandemic, Vox students each day worked on giving speeches and debating — key skills that Davis believes helped in his own advancements.

Davis’ journey toward opening a school is documented during an early scene of the “Entrepreneur” video.

“Twenty schools of his district performed in the bottom 5% statewide,” a caption in the video reads. “So TyAnthony Davis founded Vox Collegiate Junior High to change that.

“Teacher. Owner. Dreamer.”

Serving Latino and Black students

In its third school year, Vox serves 150 students in grades six through eight. Enrollment was at 119 students last year and 50 students during the school’s first year.

The current student population is 65% Latino/Mexican and 35% Black, Davis sad.

“The selling point of our schools is for kids and parents who are hungry for something different and hungry for something unique and that’s truly built for them,” Davis said. “And it’s invaluable in that the team (teachers and faculty) matches the look of our students (demographic).”

Pride in Vox Collegiate has only increased since.

“It feels good to have our school recognized, and I’m excited about the opportunity this can bring for our students.”

And for those who aspired to achieve similar success as Davis, perhaps Pharrell’s chorus in “Entrepreneur” can provide some vision.

“You need let go.

“If you want to fly, take the leap.

“You gotta risk it all.

“Or they’ll be lots of things you’ll never see.”

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 11:10 AM.