Biography
Calvin Bacote was born in 1966 and raised in Brooklyn, New York by his parents along with his older sister and brother.
In the mid 80s Bacote began dealing and distributing the nation's most dominating drug, crack cocaine. He organized a masterful team thus becoming a powerful drug lord often referred to as Calvin Klein the Brooklyn Don. His name echoed up and down the entire east coast, where the distribution of cocaine was lead under his management.
In 1988, Bacote was charged with second-degree murder and five counts of possession of a deadly weapon. Ten months later in 1989, he was acquitted of all charges. Two months after the acquittal Bacote, along with associate Shawn Carter, was charged in a Maryland State case for attempted murder, intent to maim, battery, assault, and possession of a deadly weapon. Both of them faced up to 40 years in prison.
Bacote negotiated with the Plaintiff to take full blame, therefore relieving Carter of all pending charges. After being released on bail, pending a trial date, Bacote was in the works towards financing a recording label for rappers Jaz-O and Biz Markie. One of the first acts to be released from the label was Carter also known as Jay-Z. Unfortunately, The label was never established. Unbeknownst to him, Bacote was under a federal investigation that eventually led to a 25-year sentence. His prior 1989 conviction was overturned and dismissed reducing the 25-year sentence to 15 years, of which he served 13.
Bacote's notorious past is acknowledged and glorified amongst many creditable artist such as Jay-Z, Akon, and French Montana, all of whom have mentioned him in their music. Upon his release in 2004 he was asked to manage Akon who became an international multi-platinum recording artist under his management. Bacote helped build the Konvict music label and brand. Throughout his journey in the music industry he created an intricate network of high profile relationships.
He has since turned over a new leaf in his life and is focused on giving back. The first step in his journey was in 2004 with The Fatherhood Family Engagement Program in which he rebuilt dilapidated homes in South Carolina. In 2012 shortly after getting married, Bacote was invited to speak at a YPO (Young President's Organization) event in Las Vegas Nevada, hosted by Wendy Day. On February 25, 2014, He self-published a book based on his life, hoping the unmitigated nature would deter those wishing to follow in his past footsteps. The book titled, "Neighborhoods Under Siege" was #1 on Amazon, and #7 on Kindle during the week of its release. He started a media blitz, accomplishing hi-profile interviews with Vlad TV, MTV News, and Complex.com to name a few, highlighting his newfound passion for effecting change by public speaking.
After a prosperous career Bacote decided to focus on his own path to redemption. Using his own notoriety and relationships with other highly influential individuals in the entertainment industry as a catalyst, Bacote is focused on giving back to communities in need. He started The New York Calvin Bacote Foundation. His foundation provides opportunities for success to urban youth, adults and ex-offenders by supplying resources to the public, organizing and conducting workshops in the community, mentoring, speaking to inmates in New York City and State correctional facilities and by working in conjunction with already established organizations.
After visiting the Riker's Island correctional facility Bacote decided to create the T.I.M.E. workshop, which focuses on reducing the recidivism rate of ex-offenders. He has worked in association with YPO (Young President's Organization), Guns Down Life Up, The Charles Hayden Foundation, The Chris Owen Foundation, Life Camp and The Progressive Life Center as well as recently speaking on a discussion panel entitled Black and Blue against police brutality. He speaks in schools empowering children to explore their options and avoid making bad decisions. On January 17, 2015, Bacote spoke at Harvard University's School of Law in accordance to the effects of police brutality on today's nation. Bacote represented New York and spoke in regards tot he death of Eric Garner. The Mayor and Police Chief of Ferguson, Missouri were also in attendance in regards to the death of Michael Brown. Whether it is detention centers, churches, schools, jails or bookstores, Calvin seeks to spread his message to the world.
In early 2015 Bacote merged with Price Global Media Group and became Co-CEO of the company. He spearheads the production, management and promotion of various musical acts, movies, literary publications etc...
