Tony Betton, Jr., formerly known as T-REP and also The Young Prayzr, began his career’s journey at the early age of 9 expressing his feelings and experiences through writing and motivational speaking. Since then, he’s been on many stages in many diverse settings making an impact as a journalist, host, performer, motivational speaker and youth leader. Every step that he’s boldly taken through his life’s amazing experiences, opportunities, challenges and struggles has only elevated his passion for success and a strong desire to obtain every dream that’s on his vision board.
Nicknamed as “The Lit Journalist” and “The Plub” for being multi-talented and diverse, a master networker and people connector, he has captivated audiences with his energetic, charismatic, professional and fun personality. Tony’s stage name “T-REP”, stands for “Tony – Representing Everything Positive,” and has made and continues to make an impact on people of all demographics across the nation.
Through journalism, entertainment and leadership, Tony shares his talents both in front of and behind the camera/mic as an entertainer, host, actor, producer and director, among other roles. You might have seen him with Usher, Ludacris, T.I., Bow Wow, Kirk Franklin, Congressman John Lewis, Ambassador Andrew Young, President Bill Clinton, Atlanta Mayors Kasim Reed and Keisha Lance Bottoms, Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, Jermaine Dupree, Jacob Latimore, Algee Smith and many more.
He’s been requested to participate in special events for Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Kandi Burress, Bernice King, Al Sharpton, L.A. Reid, Eva Marcelle, Ruben Studdard and others. He has hosted/co-hosted events, including Usher Raymond’s United to Ignite Awards with Ludacris.
More than just entertaining, Tony has been recognized for his writing and leadership. At the age of 11, he was invited to be a feature columnist for two years for the internationally proclaimed Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse magazine, which was distributed to over 130 countries. As a college student, he’s written for YBE Magazine and reported news packages for the National Association of Black Journalists, Georgia State University’s Panther Report News, and most recently, WSB-TV Channel 2 News’ Intern Newscast.
Tony is also a certified youth instructor with certification credentials from Emory University’s Goizeuta School of Business, The King Center and Usher’s New Look Youth Academy.
Throughout his teen years, he has developed his leadership skills as a national youth leader with the National Society of High School Scholars Foundation, the Historic King Center, and Usher’s New Look Foundation. He has worked directly with Usher and Ludacris on various projects, such as World Leadership Conferences, Award Luncheons and Powered by Service trainings.
These experiences helped shape and prepare him as a motivational speaker, certified trainer, mentor and humanitarian. He works directly with world-changing organizations, such as TEDx Youth, Hosea Feed The Hungry, the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, the Atlanta Press Club and the Global Humanitarian Summit.
Tony has been selected for and excel with some of the top internship opportunities in the country i.e. WSB-TV, Boys & Clubs of America Corporate HQ, Ryan Seacrest Studios & Foundation, Usher’s New Look Youth Academy & Foundation, The National Society of High School Scholars Int’l HQ and The Historic King Center’s Public Relations & Broadcasting Departments.
Currently, a Senior Journalism major, Entertainment Media Management minor and public relations concentration and a well-known and respected student leader at Georgia State University, this 22-year old, multi-talented, multiple-award winning future media mogul is already making an impressive name for himself in broadcasting as a news reporter, celebrity entertainment correspondent and VIP interviewer. He’s interviewed some of the world’s most prominent community, religious leaders and celebrities including: former Ambassador Honorable Andrew Young, Usher Raymond, Ludacris, Wolf Blitzer, Wanda Sykes, Tye Tribbett, Martin Luther King, III, Shameik Moore and Dikembe Mutombo plus many more
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With his knowledge and experiences, Tony is using his talents as founder and host of his own show – The REP Zone, an online TV and radio show that brings the hottest news, celebrity hot topics, entertainment updates, special events and most interesting places. The show also features impressive movers and shakers of various industries, demographics and genres, famous and unknown, who are making a positive difference in their local communities or beyond. The REP Zone brings to light the awareness of issues, which are negatively or positively affecting youth and young adult generations, their futures and their destinies.
Tony launched “The REP Zone! Company” as an umbrella to house various areas of interest with embedded multi-media platforms in Media, Public Relations, Videography/Photography Services plus more, that are used to inspire, encourage and educate children, youth and young adults to follow their dreams and to use their versatile and diverse talents and skills to make a positive impact in their homes, schools, communities, country and the world.
The REP Zone is not only a multi-media platform for entertainment. It’s also a movement. A call to action. A state of mind of making positive choices that can make a difference and impact others. His passion and gift for motivating others, along with his love for media and entertainment, led him to the launching of his “What’s Your REP?” campaign designed to reverse the world’s perception that all of today’s young generation is a lost cause. This campaign brings to the forefront the many accomplishments of real life as well as celebrity young people who have beat the odds and are doing amazing things; as well as the leaders and organizations that support youth empowerment and provide mentorship.
Tony has spent his life sharing lessons learned from his own mistakes and accomplishments, inspiring others to follow their dreams, while encouraging them to use their personal talents and skills to make a positive difference during a confusing and uncomfortable time that is shaking our world to its core