The Truth Staff
It was a birthday party, a business expansion celebration, a musical dance fest and a feast of delicious food and drink – all in one exciting evening at The Palace.
Shawanda “Spyda” Clarke and her husband John Clarke, her family, friends, students, colleagues and celebrity guests came together on the evening of Sunday, October 26 at The Palace on Alexis Road to celebrate her birthday. Clarke is the founder and CEO of FAMED Studios.
For more than 15 years, Clarke has been the driving force behind FAMED Studios and Spyda’s 3-D Complex. Her mission is to show young people that where you start in life doesn’t determine how far you can go.
She’s taught more than 5,000 kids to dance, act, model and dream bigger. She’s taken them to TV competitions, coached them through national wins, and even shared the stage with stars. She owns six studios across Toledo, Holland and Columbus, with Cleveland on the horizon.
On Sunday, October 26, Clarke, and her husband John, were joined by not only dozens of friends and colleagues but also by a host of celebrity guests such as comedian Myron Jewell. Cortez Smith, aka Nuck from The Chi; Cuntry Mr. Good Knees; Diamond of the group Crime Mob, among other notable celebrities.
The hallway entrance to The Palace was covered with a red carpet for the guests and celebrities as they entered.
Spyda and her entourage of celebrities arrived to a rousing welcome from the guests and the party officially started.
The entertainment for the evening included W.A.L.L. Music with Anitra Cherry, Dr. Soul, Bobbi Storm.
Spyda’s impact isn’t limited to the studio. Her résumé reads like a Hollywood casting list. She’s acted on Empire, The Chi, Lovecraft Country, and Power: Force. She’s appeared in a Juneteenth commercial for Target, toured with the Millennium Tour, and performed at the Apollo.
Her latest film, Substantial Evidence, is streaming on Tubi. She’s also an independent recording artist — her fourth album, Complex, features Toledo Grammy-nominated producer Todd Young and a hit single “Dale” with Raz B of B2K.
One of her tracks even held the number one spot on the Digital Radio Tracker for eight weeks straight.
And she’s not slowing down. She recently secured a production studio space where she’ll film content, music videos, and even host tour rehearsals. That announcement accounted for part of the celebration on October 26.
And so into the night the party continued – feasting, dancing and enjoying each other’s company.
