We recently connected with Cedric Norris Jr and have shared our conversation below.

Cedric, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

At a very young age, I learned that life was a series of events happening in time. In some cases, time passed quickly, in others, it seemed to be excruciatingly slow. Regardless of the mode, time gave no notice to the beginning or end of an experience, it just passed.

When I think of my legacy, I think of it in a similar tone. Time will come and go. I will live and eventually die, yet and still the experience I have offered the world will remain. It is my hope that my legacy will be the captured experience of my wisdom, joy, writings, kindness, and vulnerability– that when people think of who Cedric Norris Jr. is and was, they will notate that I lived and operated in a space where I made a conscious effort to love myself and others.

The definition of legacy is something that is or has been passed on. Time passes and waits for no one. Life does the same. In order to leave a legacy, you must create something of value. So, in every way, Cedric Norris Jr will bring value to people. places, and things; and by God’s abundant measure it will be in the forms of wealth, generational breakthroughs, and love.

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

The first time I ever wrote anything worthy of recognition was in 5th grade. It was an essay about the dangers of drugs amongst youth, and out of 300 students, my essay was the most notable. As years passed, I never really thought of writing as a talent or gift, until 2016. I was 18 years old, and just two days after returning home from college for Thanksgiving break, my grandfather was killed by my aunt who suffered from a severe mental illness. This combination of shame, grief, and loss pushed me into a very dark depression, and I found myself watching Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday for just an ounce of motivation. In one of the episodes, she talked fiercely about the power of journaling and how it is a form of prayer and release. Taking her advice, I began to start my mornings with 30 minutes of journaling. Thirty minutes turned into an hour, and before I knew it, I was peeling myself out of the muck of my depression to go to the coffee shop and write. It was then that my first book, “Black Light Shining; A Poetic Journey of Self-Love & Reflection” came to life.

As the years of undergrad went by, I published two more books, and began receiving opportunities that allowed me to travel all over Georgia to speak at schools, associations, and church programs. Middle-aged women became admirers of my work and wisdom, and I became known for telling stories that were full of empathy and truth.

Today, I stand as a 3x self-published author, spiritual blogger, and truth-teller. Whether through life coaching, podcasting, or hosting discussion forums, I raise up conversations on topics that are, at their root, developed from partial truths or lies. My work resides in helping others do their work, albeit spiritual, mental, or sexual. I stand as an academically decorated black man who holds two bachelor’s degrees (BA in Sociology & Philosophy) and one master’s degree (MS in Strategic Business & Organizational Development). I am a proud, openly gay man and the Founder of Intentional Creations, LLC — a lifestyle brand that leads with intention.

Where do I hope to land? The answer is simple–“In the abundance of ALL things God has for me.”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was a victim of bullying from kindergarten to 8th grade. I was a victim of sexual harassment in 6th grade. I was a victim of verbal and emotional abuse for most of my childhood. I am a survivor of suicidal attempts. I am a conquerer of post-traumatic stress disorder. I had to understand and deal with a lot of things before I was ready to; but I trusted my strength and faith in God.

Now at 25, I am committed to telling the truth. The whole truth. Whether victim or survivor, I learned early that it was my responsibility to formulate a grasp on my life and my mental health. It is not lost on me that life is precious and that I am blessed to be alive.

My resilience is in large part due to these 5 Things:
1. My ability to listen to others and to learn from those who were smarter than me.
2. Practicing gratitude and saying ‘thank you’ even amidst my saddest days helped me shift my focus to those things that were working in my favor.
3. Surrounding myself around those that love me, and never compromising my peace for people who are harmful
4. Taking my black ass to therapy
5. Spending time alone, in stillness and peace.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Changing people’s lives. Teaching those things they didn’t know they needed to learn, and learning things I will eventually be skilled enough to teach. Most importantly, being free enough to share my work for public consumption.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thelifeofced
• Facebook: Author Cedric Norris Jr