A PLACE TO BE KING
The True Story and Journey Of A South Central
Los Angeles Talent Who Pursued Fame On His Own Terms
The Project
I wrote a memoir for a friend whom I met when he was 17 years old and I was in my early 20's. My name is L.D. Sargent, My friend's name is Mengesha Issac Francis, musically also known as "Mystro."
I lived in Los Angeles and met Mengesha, an adopted classically trained pianist, in Hollywood at a photographer's studio, he just had his headshots taken. I was jaded with Hollywood since I failed to make it as a sitcom Diva and I attempted to talk Mengesha out of Hollywood, but he wanted fame not college.
Over the next couple of years Mengesha and I crashed various television and film studios in hopes of helping him find his way into the entertainment industry. I use the word "crashed" because we both quickly learned that Hollywood does not have an "open door" policy. Mengesha, raised in South Central Los Angeles, learned to be resilient and he was determined to learn how to play the "Hollywood game." Mengesha eventually found his way into many Hollywood venues and some paid music gigs. Mengesha was and still is driven to become famous, but on his own terms.
"A Place To Be King..."
...Is the autobiographical story of an adopted boy whose parents raised him to fear God, play piano and become whomever he chose to be. The title of the memoir is taken from the meaning of the name "Mengesha," which originates from his birth father who is Ethiopian. The book covers Mengesha from childhood until his early 30's when he nearly ended his quest for fame after suffering setbacks.
(Click HERE to read a chapter sample)
Top Photo: Mengesha posing with BRAD PITT 2001
Bottom Photo: L.D. Sargent with JAMIE FOXX at the Afterparty for the film, Wild Wild West, 2001.
Photos taken by Mengesha Francis
