As an entrepreneur and business owner, you’re not given a set of specific instructions to follow which equals success. There’s no mathematical equation. Instead, you truly learn and grow as you move through your career. Your experiences serve as the classroom for your basic knowledge of understanding. While some may find this riveting, it can also be quite strenuous and nauseating.

Members of the cast & crew of “Wear the Crown” (Photo Credit: William Jenkins) — Members of the cast & crew of “Wear the Crown”
(Photo Credit: William Jenkins)

I’m in the middle of pre-production on an upcoming short film entitled “Wear the Crown.” The film is based on my Aunt Tracey’s beloved story of cancer survival & her struggle to keep her four adult children together as one unit. I’m working with an incredible first-time producer to bring this project alive. However, it has also been an experience that has drawn up old emotions for me.

Expectations. Expectations are pivotal in obtaining a dream. In order for you to reap the benefits of success, you must create a line of expectations for yourself. I grew up with what I call “Attila the Hun” i.e. Yvonne. My mother, Yvonne did not play games with me or my sister growing up. She was incredibly tough on us especially in terms of developing life, social, and educational skills. She instilled in us a strong work ethic. I remember being six years old and mom so eloquently said, “nothing in this life is free, even stuff they tell you is free isn’t free.” Boy, how right she was. Everything we set out to do in life comes with a cost. It comes with a sacrifice. The question one must ask is, “am I ready to make the sacrifice needed to accomplish this goal”?

One of the most powerful lessons my parents could have taught me was to be very decisive on my life decisions because of the after effect. I’m constantly teased for being a single, 26 year old male. I have no prospects and I’m not looking for one. My focus is my career. While I humbly thank my mom and dad for giving me life, they gave up their careers in opera for my sister and I primarily my mom. Unfortunately, the woman is still expected to manage the household, take care of the children, and have a tall glass of “shut the fuck up” while the man is expected to bring home the money. It is 2019 almost 2020, and this is still a prevalent mindset especially in the Bible belt. Did I mention that I live in the buckle of the Bible belt? Lol! But I digress. This might be “Sally Jo’s” way of life, but it doesn’t mean it is meant for everyone. Would I like companionship one day? Absolutely, but I’m not going to settle for garbage to get it. That’s stupid. Why would I want to spend my time with someone who doesn’t truly love me?

My beautiful, amazing mother “Yvonne” (Photo Credit: Alan R.H. Nettles) — My beautiful, amazing mother “Yvonne”
(Photo Credit: Alan R.H. Nettles)

My company is coming up on its 5th year anniversary in December. WOW! One of the things I’ve learned throughout my tenure at Moving4ward Productions is how so many spouses, partners, family members, etc. do not support their loved ones within the creative arts. It’s very sad. I’ve heard horror stories. Spouses will say things like “you need to get you a job that makes money” or “I don’t know why you can’t just do this on the side and be happy.” It’s insane! Luckily for me, I’ve never had anyone like that in my ear and if I did I blocked they ass out. Now check that.

Listen, artists have one of the most difficult jobs on this planet. We are some of the most tortured souls. When your artistry exudes your passion for the craft, you can’t live, eat, drink, or sleep without doing what you love ------then who died and made it okay for someone to tell you to give up on your dream? Huh? No, instead our loved ones should be supporting us. Do folks realize how hard it is to be an artist? How doubt runs rapid through our minds? How we second guess ourselves? How we go through so many emotions to create a project that we hope the world will take notice and support? I’m very blessed that I have a mom and dad who support me. My dad and I have not always had the best relationship, however the one thing he has always supported me 100% on is my artistry. Yep, when I decided midway through my junior year of college at Howard University to change my major from Psychology to Film Production. Dad said, “why not, that’s what you’ve wanted to do anyway.” He then went and bought every single formidable book known to man about filmmaking and the art of directing. Thanks Pappy! Lol! But seriously.

My mom became a spokeswoman for Moving4ward Productions. She’s also my manager, and has produced several of my projects. She’s always on set assisting in any way she can regardless of her own busy schedule. She has a private counseling center. She’s a classically trained opera singer who still performs recitals and oratorios. She’s an advocate for mental health and speaks across the country to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness within the African-American community, yet she will make time for me, her son because she knows how much I love what I do. It doesn’t necessarily mean she loves it like me, but she loves me. So because she loves me and I love creating stories, she loves it because she loves me. Now see that’s love.

I think more spouses, partners, and family members should take this approach. Don’t kill your loved one’s spirit as an artist. Help them manifest it. Another thing my community needs to work on is supporting grassroots organizations seeking to make a positive mark in society. This millennial generation wants things fast. They want it to come easy with no sacrifice. I experienced this recently with a former friend and colleague. When the heat got hot, she skipped her funky ass right up on out of the kitchen despite all the support she received for her ability to be an award winning actress. We as millennials tend to be lazy, and that’s what is going to hold us back because although we live in the age of viral sensations. That isn’t everyone’s trajectory to success. As quick as you reach success, can be as quick as you lose it. It took Patti Labelle years to become the incredible sensation she is today. Aretha Franklin recreated a song cover that became her signature. Yes, “Respect” was an Otis Redding song before Franklin did it. Yet, Franklin’s anthem not only touched lives across the world, but it became a theme for the Civil & Women’s Rights Movements respectively.

Oscar Micheaux was a filmmaker during the dark ages of racial disparity and discrimination in our country where it was illegal for an African-American man to run his own business. It’s interesting how it seems we are currently going backwards in that regard, but I’ll address that in another blog post. Yes, there was a time when in certain states that was illegal. Yet, this man defied the law to set a precedent for black filmmakers like myself. He is the “Godfather of African-American Cinema.”

These are artists who changed the world. They changed our society. This is why we must celebrate them. Taraji P. Henson didn’t become the household name she is overnight. She put in the work. She put in the dedication. She was resilient. She never gave up, and now look at her. See when you plant those seeds, eventually you reap the harvest. However, you cannot uproot the seeds before they grow. If you do, you’ll have nothing but a handful of useless seeds.

Oscar Micheaux with members of his crew on a film set

Those who know me personally know I have an obsession with Meryl Streep. Now, it’s not because she’s an amazing actress which she is. But my obsession is because she is one of the hardest working female pioneers in Hollywood. I admire that. I admire the fact that she’s her own woman. She’s her own artist, and she refuses to allow anyone to defy or alter that based on their own preconceived perceptions. ICONIC! That’s why she’s a boss.

If more artists took this approach, imagine how incredible content would be. Believe it or not, films change lives. Music alters our emotions. Visual art makes us think. Dance forces us to feel. Literature pushes us to make difficult decisions. Acting provides us with a human, inner reflection, and photography allows us to treasure those charitable moments. Remember that the next time you watch a television show on Netflix or go to the movies. Remember that the next time you read a novel or attend a Beyonce concert. Remember that the next time you minimize an artist and his or her ability to create.

“Everything we say signifies; everything counts, that we put out into the world. It impacts on kids, it impacts on the zeitgeist of the time. “ - Meryl Streep

Moving4Ward Productions

You Can't Steal My Artistry