Biographie
Ian L. Mandrew-Prendergast, promoter and producer, was born on February 15, 1961 in Kingston, Jamaica. While his parents prepared the way for him by working in the United States, Ian was raised and cared for by his aunt Ms. Isolene E.F. Shakespeare, a micro-biologist. After attending Morehead State University in Kentucky and Concordia College in Bronxville, NY, Ian began promoting and organizing concert and club events, focusing especially on a music genre of his birthplace, Reggae, which he realized had global reach. He managed the careers of Paul Campbell, Jamaica's most popular contemporary actor of screen and stage; Donisha Prendergast, actress and documentary filmmaker, who is the grand-daughter of Bob and Rita Marley; and Ralph Carter of the '70s hit, Good Times. For over a decade he worked with the founder of the Tamika Reggae Awards (Clinton Lindsay), and facilitated the involvement of famous American actors Wesley Snipes, Leon, Matthew St. Patrick, Ralph Carter, Heavy D, Malik Yoba and sports stars such as Pepper Johnson, with the awards event credited with helping to launch the careers of Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Elephant Man, Mad Cobra, Co Co Tea, Super Cat, Ninja Man, PaPa San and Beenie Man, among others. Mr. Prendergast has also worked on projects with Alicia Keys, DMX, Foxy Brown, The Lox, Styles P, JadaKiss, and KRS One, to name just a few artists he's worked with from the R&B or hip hop genres. He's also an independent contractor for MTV, for which he provides talent for projects such as TEMPO, launched in 2005 in NYC and Jamaica. He's one of the only black promoters of Latin music in Westchester, Rockland and Duchess Counties (having worked with Jose Aponte of Aponte Music). Since his last concert involvement (Upstate Reggae On The River Eco Music Festival), Mr. Prendergast has focused on the Empire State Games, the largest amateur athletic event held in the United States. After 21 years of competing in the Empire State Games (in track and field and volleyball), Prendergast joined the administrative team in Regent II, as assistant to the Regent II Director, in the areas of communications, housing (athlete, coaches and officials) and security. Mr. Prendergast has a lineage of note in Jamaica. His cousin, Peter Prendergast, is Jamaica's best known and most highly respected soccer (FIFA) referee. Other famous family members include: Lester Prendergast (the character Puss Fella in Dr. No); Tessa Prendergast (designer of the famous swim suit worn by Ursula Andress in Dr. No); and Noel Nethersole, who established the PNP Party with Norman Manley. There's also Bernard L. Prendergast, the first Jamaican to win an Olympic medal. Ian L. Mandrew-Prendergast is a happily married father who works as a Court Liaison for Leake & Watts Services, a child-care agency in Yonkers, New York.
