Visionary and Elite Protector of the Stars; Elijah Shaw
- Jacklyn Jones
- Nov 9, 2015
- 3 min read
Growing up in the projects of Ida B. Wells located in the Southside of Chicago was not easy for Elijah Shaw. Elijah is known as the "Protector of the Stars" a well known Bodygaurd to high profile celebrities such as Usher, 50 cent, Naomi Campbell, Sean "Diddy" Combs and a few politicians. Elijah grew up during the 70's and 80's and says that he watched people in his neighborhood spiral down from crack cocaine. He was fortunate enough to survive the violence and drugs that plagued his neighborhood and after moving out of the harsh inner city, Elijah decided to attend film school at Columbia. While going to school he started working as a security guard at the Riviera night club in Chicago which was owned by some of the Chicago Bulls at the time. He ended up being a Bodygaurd for some of the players and the rest is history.
Photo Credit: Dwayne Franklin
These days Elijah Shaw is the CEO and owner of an executive protection firm called ICON Global www.industry-icon.com which he started in 1998. He has successfully taken clients in and out of some of the most dangerous places on the planet including Palestine, Angola and Ferguson during the riots.
ICON not only offers Celebrity Bodyguards but the firm offers Travel security and Private Investigations as well. His firm also offers training for perspective clients domestically and Internationally who are looking to pursue a career in security or self protection. Yes ladies he offers a Womens Safety and Fitness Training too.
Photo Credit: Dwayne Franklin
In the video below it shows Elijah's clients praticing high level training at a facility in a secret location.
On his Life Up There Campaign
Elijah just launched Life Up There www.lifeupthere.com which is a unique concept where you can purchase photos that he has captured from around the world. The proceeds from purchasing the pictures are donated to buy cameras for the inner city youth. He admits that he has been to Paris 4 times and never saw the Eiffel Tower, and this is one of the reasons why he decided to take a camera along on his travels to capture scenary. I must say that I am a fan of his photography. The photos of different countries like Egypt, Africa, and cities like Paris and London are absolutely beautiful and reasonably priced on his website. I had a chance to speak with Elijah about his Life Up There program and this is what he shared:
Jacklyn {Le Votre}: I think your life up there concept is a brilliant idea. With so many young people in front of the camera to mainly post pics of themselves on various social media web sites, what are you hoping to see the inner city youth that you are donating cameras to accomplish by being behind the lens?
Elijah: "The area I am most known for career wise is working with celebrities, even though I work with executives and politicians etc. When I work with celebrities and I meet with the kids they always want to be the person in front of the camera, they want to be the rapper, they want to be the actor or singer. There are so many opportunities that happen behind the camera where they can be successful. Not everybody can act, not everybody can sing, I know I can't sing at all. What I am hoping to do is show them that there are these opportunities where you can take a picture or shoot a video and it doesn't involve you being in it. It doesnt have to be a selfie and it can still be appreciated. You can see the art in it, the labor of love or the beauty that you've captured with that photo. When I concieved Life Up There that's what I wanted to get accross to the younger kids that might get in the program."
Photo Credit: Dwayne Franklin
Elijah Shaw will be a household name to remember in the years to come. Protector to so many and visionary for the youth. I look forward to seeing what else he has in store in the near future.
To learn more about Elijah and his company go to www.industry-icon.com
Get a behind the scenes look at Elijah's business at www.bodyguardblog.com
Connect with Elijah on Social Media:
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