Remembering Esco

Family and friends of model/actor Jubar “Esco” Croswell shared stories, laughs and tears at an event held to pay tribute and respect to a rising star in fashion and entertainment.

By Christopher Windham

Human Nature magazine

Family, friends and colleagues gathered last night in New York to pay tribute to model/actor Jubar “Esco” Croswell.

Croswell, 30, was found dead in New Jersey Sept. 29^th after being reported missing about two weeks earlier. Police are still investigating the cause of death.

Croswell was known as “Esco” to college classmates and those in the fashion industry. To friends and family in his Jamaica, Queens neighborhood, he was simply “Jubar” growing up.

While those groups differed on the name they called Croswell, all agreed that his infectious smile and laugh will be missed the most.

“You will always remember his laugh and his smile,” said Dee-Dee Faison, who attended Howard University with Croswell, who graduated from the school in 2002. “Everybody loved him. He had a light that you were drawn to. I want to remember that light. He will forever shine in our hearts.”

Metanoya Webb remembers her crush on Jubar growing up in Queens. Webb recalls sneaking a peek of Croswell playing basketball near her friend’s apartment. “I had a big crush on him,” she says.

Webb says she eventually became friends with Croswell, who also became her high school prom date. When Webb enrolled into Howard University a year later, it was Croswell who helped her navigate the freshman life. “He took me under his wing,” she says.

While at Howard, Croswell’s modeling career began to blossom. In addition to appearing in campus fashion shows, Croswell frequently traveled to New York for photoshoots and runway shows with some of top designers in the industry.

After graduation, Croswell would go on to become of most recognizable faces in urban modeling. He was prominently featured in spreads and ads appearing in such magazines as Vibe, XXL and BlackMen. Sean John, Enyce and Rocawear also featured Croswell in multi-million dollar ad campaigns.

Croswell made appearances in several music videos as well, including R&B singer Teairra Mari’s “Make Her Feel Good,” video. Croswell would also be seen nationally on BET’s popular fashion special “Rip The Runway.”

On the big screen, Croswell had a cameo in the 2005 comedy “Beauty Shop,” featuring Queen Latifah and actor/musician Bryce Wilson, Croswell’s cousin.

“I was drawn to his hustle,” says noted model Miguel Perdomo, who became friends with Croswell back in 2004.

Bucking the trend among models, who are typically competitive with one another, Perdomo said Croswell would regularly share leads with him, and vice versa. The two had recently discussed branching out into acting, which Perdomo hopes to follow through on. “I hope to carry that torch now for him,” he says.

Croswell was also remembered for his humility. His cousin, K.D Wilson of Czar Entertainment, says she was proud that Croswell stayed grounded even after succeeding in the entainment industry. Growing up in the industry, she says, “we learned to live in the business and not let it live you and Jubar understood that.”

Croswell is survived by his mother, father, brother and newborn son. Funeral services are pending.

To help support Croswell’s family and son, checks or money orders can be sent to:

Jasir Croswell

c/o K.D. Wilson

P.O. Box 4579

New York, NY 10163-4579