We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Najee Strickland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Najee below.

Alright, Najee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Hey! No problem. Thank you for having me. And sure, I learned how to do what I do by being observant, motivated, and overall interested in whatever craft I decide to venture into. Speed is not what we focus on, but patience. Patience is a must. I want to go back in time and give myself advice on being patient, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and have more confidence in myself and my gift. You will forever be a student, in anything. We as adults today are still learning how to…adult. There are no masters because even a master at something will always claim that they are still a student. The most essential skill is having an open mind. With an open mind you can build relationships with people and build. Your attitude about things will always determine your altitude. It’s an old saying but it still hits and make so much sense. Nothing stood in the way because I didn’t let it. Besides college, learning is free. You can literally teach yourself anything your heart desires and manifest it into your reality.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I would love to.

Hey! My full name is Najee King Strickland, I’m 32, and I am a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Memphis, Tn. Art has always been apart of my life, from my moms colorful and bold interior design to my dads custom clothing designs. I started out drawing colorful stick figures at the age of six. While being inspired by cartoon networks like ‘Nickelodeon’ and newspaper comic strips in the local paper, my art and skills escalated by the age of thirteen. Practicing with different medias such as: oil & chalk pastel, acrylic, and oil based paints; my style of art transitioned by the ages of fourteen through seventeen by drawing and painting detailed images of people. At the age of eighteen, I enrolled into Southwest Tennessee Community College where I majored in Architecture/Engineering Technology. By my third year of community college I knew architecture/engineering was not my calling so I dropped out and joined the Memphis Fire Department to get more time off to work on my practice. Now, I am a full time creative and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Every little bit of knowledge helps. Putting the knowledge of past jobs, college, and skill set elevated my craft and practice into constructing things in creative and innovative ways. Along with venturing out and experimenting with film and photography.

All of my work is expressive, conceptual, metaphorical and creative. I’m versatile with a focus, but loves to send a message in an artistic and innovative format. Most of my clients have problems with their clothes that need altered, deciding on a gift for a family or friend, and/or grooming services. I practice multiple disciplines so technically I am a one stop shop for all of my clients.

I am most proud of where I am now and what I have learned along the way. I am also proud to say that I have partnered and worked with a list of non-profits and organizations for community efforts such as workshops, murals and art exhibit installations. I want everyone to know that I am a an amazing and innovative artist and when you decide to work with me, we will build a relationship and build. I’m all about building and catching the beauty of the unheard people.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

One of the best things society can do for artists, creatives and the creative ecosystem is have access to funding and resources for artist/creatives in cities and around the world. Society also could prioritize kids who make the decision of becoming a full time artist important just as much as becoming a doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc. Society needs to support the living artist as much as the dead artist. Affordable housing, healthcare and mental care for artist are also very important.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Back in 2013 I was working at FedEx at the time and a coworker mention to me that the local fire department was hiring. He was telling me about the benefits and my mind instantly started racing. I was young and money hunger. Honestly, I needed money and benefits because I brought life into this world, my daughter. I applied, got hired and took a series and a long list of test and state exams and eventually got hired. I worked on the Memphis Fire Department for 5 years and 8 months. My goal was to work 6 years while I invest fully into my artistic/creative career. This might sound cliche, but I also wanted to be a superhero. Not like the ones on tv, but my own version. My own style. Someone who helped his neighborhood, and most importantly, my family. My objective changed once I got on the job and seen things for what it really was. While on the job I experienced and witnessed violation of human rights, discrimination, microaggressions and much more. The department and the people within it revealed true colors. It was a place that I thought claimed brotherhood and individuality while doing what you’re supposed to do, but it was a completely different experience. I was considered the trouble maker because I implemented a small strike for brothers to grow out their hair and challenge the grooming policy. The challenge ended with me having a hearing with the deputy chief, battalion chief and union representative about the peach fuzz on my chin that was considered unacceptable and disobedient. I didn’t want the stress of continuing a hearing about less than one inch of facial hair on my face so I decided to quit. I called the battalion chief and told him that I wanted to resign. Since then I filmed my second short film and premiered it in two theatres in my hometown. The film has won one award and been in six film festivals. I’ve had two solo art installations, and now I’m working on a tv show with NBC/Universal. I will continue to break down any wall or barrier because I have a passion for creativity and nothing can stop that, not even a job.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://najeestrickland.com/
• Instagram: @najeestrickland
• Facebook: Najee Strickland
• Linkedin: Najee Strickland
• Youtube: Najee Strickland

Image Credits
Cardi Fuqua Chico Marxx Gabrielle( G. Duffie)