We were lucky to catch up with J.S. Bray recently and have shared our conversation below.
J.S., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?
In the creative world phrases like “equity” and “inclusion” are largely rhetoric. They exist on screen, sometimes but they don’t exist where it matters most, behind the scenes. These processes are kept behind closed doors with a surface art that signals “inclusion”. But inclusion means to include others into the process on purpose with purpose. That is why we have launched a behind the scenes youtube channel that is building a hit animated children’s show from the ground and inviting creative of all walks of life to participate! Meaning we want to give veterans to absolute novice the opportunity to showcase their talents on the channel. Furthermore we even feature every single artist that auditions. Because we are building something greater than ourselves we need others more than ourselves. We’re building something that has NEVER been done before! A truly inclusive show inside and out and in real time. Inklings will be the biggest animated children’s show in history because of our deliberate choice to make equitable choices.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My company, Mr Bray Labs, started when I was 6yrs old as I was watching “Rescuers Down-under” in my Papa’s living. As this gigantic eagle flew across the screen I felt as I was riding on its back. I was hooked! I wanted to possess this magic.
Growing up largely as a homeless child I retreated to art and cartoons and my greatest sanctuaries were libraries and churches. They were safe places for me to dream. I eventually ran away from my homeless circumstances and found myself back in school. After years missing most of my education I was surprisingly placed on honor roll.
I found school to be boring but I loved art and music and especially people. After I graduated High school I went on to be a missionary working at an orphanage to eventually working with signed artists on Epic records. All was part of the road that brought me back to my earliest love, connecting with people through stories. I started my company Nr Bray Labs in 2011 and have worked with almost every major brand and streaming platform. However, my time in the library grew into the greatest project I have ever developed called “Inklings” an animated children’s show about insects that live in a library attic that go on literary adventures together.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the happiest memories from my childhood is eating soggy donuts out of a trash can. Being a homeless child it is easy to look at this experience as tragic but for me at this moment these discarded pastries were a moment I treasured. The taste of sugar and moist coffee grounds teleported me to a place beyond my circumstances. I felt as they were a gift from God to remind me things will get better from here on.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
The simplest way to build an audience is always the most authentic. One at a time. I genuinely get to know someone, find out who they are and what they love and I become friends and sincerely cheer them on. And I do this with everyone I want to connect with. It’s relational. A leader must be two things to truly be a leader aside from first being a servant. A true leader is visible and available. If you are not these things you are not a leader and not worthy to lead anyone. If leadership means anything other than serving others then you are in it for yourself and unfit for the position.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mrbray.com
- Youtube: mrbraylabs
Image Credits
www.mrbray.com