Who is Darrell Gartrell?
Hello to my family, friends and well wishers.
For those who you who don't know me, I hail from the what the media has dubbed, South-Central Los Angeles; yet for the past 17 years, I have called Osaka, Japan my home. Yes. I am arguably fluent in Japanese.
I am the owner of a chain of English Language centers called "Wisdom21", which has received a moderate level of national press attention since its inception back in 1997.
In May 2005, I opened a Cajun and Soul food restaurant and live house in Osaka called "Savannah" Bar and Grill (birthplace of my father and grandfather in US state of Georgia) which features primarily live Blues and Jazz as well as contemporary black music. Judging by the buzz in the city, and of course, the throngs of weekend revelers packed into the venue, I believe we can safely conclude that Savannah is one of the most raved about night spots in the city.
I am also the President of a non-profit group called the Japan African American Friendship Association (JAFA) which I have been involved in since 1995.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) is another group that I am proud to be associated with.