Today we’d like to introduce you to Rashon Baskerville Jr.
Hi Rashon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name Is Rashon Samone Baskerville Jr. I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. I have always been a part of a large family. This family included two divorced parents, two unique siblings, one, head of the honor society, and the other with a passion for dance. Two uncles, a great-grandmother, and a grandmother with a zeal for cooking. Despite the challenges of large family life, I have learned more than a few qualities that has led me to where I am today.
My story, so it seems, would begin in the years of my elementary. Early on I developed, and showed a strong desire, and passion for music, writing/journalism and performing arts. These curiosities drew me to the violin. I picked up this beloved instrument when I was in the 5th grade. I cherished the sounds, and how the music would make others feel. My family supported me wholeheartedly. During my years of high school this love for the violin moved me into the center stage of the performing arts.
At the age of thirteen, my family and I relocated to the small town of Elizabeth, New Jersey. It was there, at the performing arts high school of Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy that I learned the joy and the euphoria of the theater. It allowed me to escape the challenges of everyday life. And to cope with the hardships of divorced parenting, and lack of genuine friendships. Somehow others noticed I had a pure, natural, talent for the theater. This led me to fulfilling one of the main title roles of my high school musical during my senior year. Not convinced of the charm that the lights, the cameras, and the performing brought. I decided to hang up my coat and leave the theater far behind me in search of something more joyous.
In time, I discovered that having a strong relationship with God was the most important way to pursue genuine happiness. I put more effort into meaningful bible reading, and helping others to understand the beautiful promises outlined in the Bible. In order to continue to do this full time, I decided to take up employment in the school bus community. My goal, my objective, was to create an environment where school staff, students, and administrators could have peace, security, fun, and joy in connection with how I handled my school bus and the kids I’d be transporting.
In the year 2019, my life changed completely. For many years, I had cultivated a strong, warm friendship with someone whom had grown to be my brother. This friend had a younger sister whom caught my attention over time. As a natural friendship between her and I took place we were moved to act on such feelings and began a relationship in August of 2019.
Eventually the storm clouds of reality soon hovered over us as the year turned March 2020. When the pandemic struck, we were sure that we would not be affected. What were the odds? Death would cripple us in ways that are still hard to manage today. There was a certain eeriness that came with Covid-19. The first to go was my great-grandmother. Because they refused to take her body. She remained on the floor with us for over 8 hours, covered in a quilt that was her sleeping blanket until her death. The second to go was one of the two uncles I mentioned earlier. Known for his wisdom, humor, and communication, his death struck me personally because I was sick in bed with Covid-19 myself and couldn’t call one last time.
He was found dead in his bunkbed in my grandmother’s home.
The next to go was my grandmother, The plan was to hold uncle at a funeral home until grandma returned out of the hospital. I too was rushed to a different hospital during the same time as my grandmother. A week in between these two deaths my girlfriend and I had become engaged. When returning home from the hospital my mother told me the circumstances surrounding the life expectancy of grandma was dim.
She was taken off the machines a few days later and expired.
This in effect became a double funeral for both her, and her son, my uncle. All during the engagement of my wife and myself. Funerals #2 and #3.
A month later, I sat in bed talking to my fiancee. We assumed that the worst was far behind us. It was an early morning after midnight. We laughed on the phone together in glee. A loud banging roared thunderously across the front door. I rushed out of bed thinking it was my younger brother, 24, whom I would yell at for being so loud in fear he’d wake up my mother and step-father. As the door swung open, I was met with another grim reality. It was one of his friends.
She looked at me, head held low, and stated. “Sahmaad has been shot. And we can’t find him.”
A long four weeks remained of my brother’s life. He caught an infection in the hospital and in July 2020. He too expired. He left behind two kids, a daughter and a son.
After the last tragedy. The following month my wife and I decided to marry. August 2020. It was a wedding only God himself could’ve planned.
We tried hard to settle into our new routine with a smaller family, and a different outlook. As the days passed on, I thought about others whom were affected by the pandemic and whom had not got the emotional support that they needed to thrive not just survive.
The year was November 2022 when I created R.E.D.PODCASTING. A podcast dedicated to my younger brother whom was killed. Focusing on all of the young ones who cope with school, parents, life changes, and frequent questions about the challenges of life each and everyday. This podcast has grown very fast in a short period of time. Many students have reached out and thanked me and my wife for allowing us to be a part of their endurance.
My podcast is not for fame, fortune, money, or wealth. Sometimes, the best ways to acquire such things as previously mentioned are to show a little kindness, a tiny bit of compassion, a sprinkle of empathy, and a heart of understanding. These things are of far more value than material things. These qualities have led me to becoming the podcaster and man I am today.
With no REGRETS!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The hardest obstacle of my road was giving a speech at the site of my brother. He was killed in the dark of night walking to his vehicle by an unnamed bullet. Watching the tragic events unfold on camera footage with Elizabeth Detectives and wondering how he felt during his last moments of life have always been a challenge for me in the wake of night. At times I wonder what he would be like now. He will never get to see his children grow up, he will never be able to see them dance, or laugh, or play, or even cry. This obstacle and the insanity of poor choices has been the greatest challenge, for now matter how much you climb the mountain of grief it always become larger based on where you are in life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have taken on the mantle of school bus, Commercial Driving. I have had my license since the year 2017. I have worked at several school bus companies over that time frame. I have received various awards, e-mails, gifts, presents, merchandise, and appreciative cards from delightful and grateful parents of students that I have taken care of. School bus driving is unique. It is the only line of work that allows you to put in based on how you value the students that ride your bus. You determine where it starts, where it ends, where it goes…. Drivers are in a unique role to change the lives of the young individuals they transport. This simple reminder has become an anchor to my work. It fuels my podcast and has intensified my empathy, compassion, and support for families.
Set apart from others is the drive, the intensity and the wholeheartedness I put into any and every route that I drive. Treating others the way I want to be treated is a fine stamp in the right direction for me personally.
I am most proud of how giving has truly given me endurance and happiness during these difficult times. Carrying out this work is not easy. But it does produce qualities that are invaluable.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Apps – Duo lingo, Disney+, Paramount+,Peacock, Apple Music,
Books – Judy Blume, Fudge Series, Goosebumps Series, The BFG, Matilda,
Resources – Buzzsprout, Podcast Host, Youtube Studios, Youtube
Podcasts – Favorite Podcast, The Garden State
Musicals, Broadway- Dear Evan Hansen, Phantom of The Opera, Little shop of Horrors, Aladdin
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redpodcasting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REDForTheEveryday
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCModOEfnxVy7Pv7kdE4vZJQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@r.e.d.podcasting
