Biography

Brian A. Wilkins

Director
Producer

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The special follows Jaysse Lopez, the king of the sneakerheads, especially in the sneaker resale industry. Jaycee Lopez's Urban Necessities has two physical stores and a website and brought in nearly $21 million in sales last year. But it's more than just a business for Lopez he's living the sneakerhead's dream going to trade shows, meeting other sneakerheads in the resale business, and reaping the profits with his wife and co-owner Joanie. However, this didn't come easily. Lopez had to work his way up and off the literal streets to be the millionaire businessman he is today. Before Lopez hit it big with Urban Necessities, he was homeless in Las Vegas. He panhandled on the Strip. At other particularly low points, he lived in a motel, on a friend's couch, and even sold his own clothes to get by. Lopez's story is an inspiration for other sneaker resellers looking to get into the market.

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Black History Always Special: Sole Survivor

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Brian A. Wilkins is a four-time Emmy Award winning director and filmmaker with more than 15 years of experience creating acclaimed sports documentaries and original programming for ESPN, Showtime, GoPro, and NFL Network across Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Known for his cinematic storytelling, creative vision, and relentless passion, Brian has served as Supervising Producer on the Emmy-nominated Evolution of the Black Quarterback, Series Director for The Journey: Charlo Brothers Doubleheader and All Access: Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz, and Director of A Draft Story: Tyvis Powell. He has earned recognition from the National Sports Emmys, Webby Awards, NY Festivals TV & Film Awards, and Telly Awards, including National Sports Emmy wins for All Access - Wilder vs. Fury Epilogue, a Webby Award and NY Festivals TV & Film Award for Black History Always Special: Finding Free, and multiple Telly Awards for Black History Always Special: Sole Survivor and the Long Story Short animated series.

A Southern California native that now calls New York home, Wilkins continues to elevate original content in the entertainment industry with the awards and story-telling acumen to support his ascent. Brian is a former standout Division-1 football player for the University of Texas at El Paso. As a Linebacker for the Miners, some of Wilkins' brightest moments came against University of Texas, Texas Tech, University of Houston, Tulane University, and the University of Kansas.