We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Raymond Karago. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Raymond below.
Hi Raymond, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
“Telling stories that deserve it be told”. As someone who has lived on three different continents (Africa, Europe and North America), I am very passionate about authentically telling stories of people who’s side is never heard or familiar stories but from different perspective. For example, an upcoming film that I wrote, produced and star in named Kareem’s Oorah, I play Kareem Dialo, a Muslim-American who joins the U.S. Marines Corps in the aftermath of 9/11.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Growing up, it was an early love of movies such as The Lion King (1994) and The Jungle Book (1967) that inspired a passion for wildlife. At around 11 years old I volunteered at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage where I had a frightening encounter with one of the male lions ! After that, at the age of 13, I was sent to boarding school in Somerset, England, and to say there was a cultural shock when I got there would be a vast understatement! I spent five years there where I developed a love for performing arts. Many years later, I am happy to have been a part of several amazing projects. I use my craft to help my fellow creatives bring challenging and nuanced tales and characters to the screen. In the award winning Gangsters, I play (in an award winning role) a Jamaican-American drug dealer trying to impressed his adopted crime lord family. Recently, I play an abusive and controlling boyfriend in the film “Strings Attached” which deals with Domestic Abuse from an Kenyan perspective.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I think the last few years have shown a great deal of resilience on my end. I am bipolar, and in the last few years my mental health has taken quite a few hits, two very dear family members passed away plus many private battles that needed to be faced. In spite of all this, I have risen to triumph. Playing leading roles in acclaimed award winning projects such as Stand uP, Kareem’s Oorah, Gangsters, Niara amongst others. I have been named amongst the 100 most influential young people in my country of Kenya, and have opened even more doors for myself in the industry. My message to anyone feeling held back or low, your current circumstances don’t define you! Neither does your past, mistakes nor what people may think.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! To create art that makes an impact, to challenge people’s perspectives on certain topics. I was fortunate enough to star in Kareem’s Oorah and this story will tell the world (or at least those who didn’t know) the positive and brave role that Muslim-Americans have played in service of the American military. I have seen this change for more inclusivity in the industry and to be part of it in whatever way is liberating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karagoraymond.wixsite.com/the-cat-productions
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fking_on_the_rise_%2F
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7503401/?ref_=nmbio_ov
Image Credits
I own the images