Social Studies Show: Episode 17 - Kortel Autrey

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Kortel Autrey is a Hollywood Stuntman that is on the rise! You’ve seen his work in Straight out of Compton, Bad Boys for Life, Gemini Man, Charm City Kings, Fast and Furious - Hobbies and Shaw, commercials, awards shows and music videos.  This all comes from humble beginnings and the desire to create a better life. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode we discuss his journey originating in the inner-city of Los Angeles; South Central/Watts to working on feature films.  He was exposed to bikes when he was 4 years old by his father. At the time,He thought bikes were just recreational fun. He didn’t realize my father used bikes as a motivational tool to keep him on a righteous path..  As an adult, he now understands the detrimental effects of the crack epidemic. His father, mother and grandmother were all instrumental in him becoming the man I am today. The phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child” is an understatement in the “hood”.  As a youth, he developed a passion for peddle bikes, BMX bikes, motorcycles, dirt bikes riding moto and stunting in the streets. Growing up in the inner-city riding dirt bikes was not as tangible to his community at the time. Due to the lack of resources, people of color are not exposed to the same opportunities as others. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also in the episode Kortel discusses the role of community and how through the love of  bike culture he helped create their own. Taking to the streets he and his friends developed stunt riding on another level. He was able to master the skill which helped him develop respect and relationships with different neighborhoods and gangs. At a young age he was very aware that the ability to stunt ride could be something truly awesome; something his community needs to help mend its brokenness. He began to teach his peers how to ride and stunt ride hosting  street rides to help unify gangs in our neighborhoods. That’s where the concept “Bikes Over Bang’n” was develo