We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charli Funk a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Charli , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project that I’ve been a part of is the Edagiago project, which is my own personal project of love, inspired by love, and the things that I see that others are loving and inspired by and that they love to do and put energy behind. I put a lot of energy behind finding quality content, music, clothing, products, different discounts, and businesses that have good service and good people and connecting those with other like-minded people that are in the same walk of life or in different walks of life, but have that same inspiration; they love what they do and are inspired to get up and do the things that they love to do because every day above ground is a good one. I’m inspired to show people how to just remain accountable by not overthinking, but using the tool of overthinking to calculate the things that you want, need, desire, and have the ability to get if you so choose.
Charli , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, I got into the industry just by being an artist. One of the many things that I do for other artists and other people in general is connect them with the resources that they may not know exist. I call myself Charli Funk, GPT, because I’m always searching for things, and I’m always finding an answer to some things even if it’s an answer that I might not have been looking for. I always stumble upon an answer and I bookmark it and set it to the side because I know that I always talk to someone who may be able to use that information. I have a habit of making all of my interactions the most interaction of the moment. So I try to keep that going with everything that I do, whether it is business, personal, even with pets. So, when you see me on social media, you’ll see me having a lot of conversations with a lot of different people all at the same time and that is used to be able to make relationships amongst the audience. That way they can find out why they are here rocking with me and that is what I do. Sometimes I may find grants for artists that I may not fit the mold for, but I know they may fit right into. Sometimes I may find someone who may not listen to my music as much, but I know that they will listen to another artist that I like, and that I have music with more than me, so I send them that artist when I send them my music as well. Sometimes I might know of a good business or a good spot that may be a little bit out of reach, but I know someone who is always there, or may actually even live in that neighborhood and they’re a budding artist and they could use that connection with that venue or with that bar, or they can use an apprenticeship or possible influencer marketing locally. That’s how people can help people and connect and build a useful network in the community. Those are the things that I help people do, in addition to keeping people aware of healthy living, staying fit, and how different components of life help you build in other components and areas of your life. It’s not all about art with me, but life is an art, living successfully is definitely an art, and I’m trying to perfect it but I also don’t mind putting it on display so that people can know that it’s never done. It is a journey. One of the projects that I’m super proud of is working with the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project, which is a nonprofit organization that puts on the AfroFuturism festival every year down in Saint Pete. Working with them provided me the opportunity to do exactly what my company and what my brand insist on bringing to the forefront and that is collaboration with other artists, businesses, products, companies, etc., to bring the audience, the best, most engaging quality experience possible. My brand, which is Edagiago, means every day above ground is a good one. The subtext is IXL, which means inspired by love. Every day is a good day to be inspired by love and inspire someone else by showing them that you were inspired by the things that you love. Because you never know who is watching and trust me, someone is always watching.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
As the visionary behind the Sustainable Evolution Project with Edagiago Environmental Organization, my mission is deeply rooted in integrating sustainability into every facet of life. At the heart of this endeavor is the philosophy of ‘Every Day Above Ground Is A Good One’ and ‘Inspired By Love’, which is vividly expressed through our Edagiago – IXL clothing line. We’re not just about fashion; our aim is to educate and inspire sustainable living through digital platforms like TGIFunky TV and OrganaKart.com. Entrepreneurship is key. We’re fostering economic independence by encouraging local entrepreneurship, offering training, and creating networking opportunities. This is exemplified in our Edagiago – IXL line and ventures like OrganaKart.com. Health and sustainability go hand in hand. We’re addressing food disparities and promoting healthy lifestyles through initiatives like Freight Farm operations and local storefronts for accessible, nutritious food. Moreover, we’re actively engaging in environmental stewardship through urban and container farming, with a documentary project in the works to showcase these efforts. Our collaboration with the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project is crucial. They’re helping us track and enhance artist growth, educational progress, and community engagement. Ultimately, our goal is to foster a sustainable, healthy, and economically vibrant community in Pinellas County, all driven by the creative spirit and leadership that defines our project and our team.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Yesterday’s price is not today’s price, but something is better than nothing!” This sentiment aptly describes my journey as a creative, especially as I lead the Sustainable Evolution Project at Edagiago Environmental Organization. It speaks to an important aspect often overlooked by non-creatives: the dynamic and ever-changing nature of creative pursuits, especially in their developmental stages. Our venture into sustainable fashion, for instance, is a future-focused endeavor. The Edagiago – IXL clothing line, embodying the principles of ‘Every Day Above Ground Is A Good One’ and ‘Inspired By Love’, is in the process of adapting to the evolving landscape of ethical and environmental awareness. While these changes are ongoing, our core values remain steadfast. The multifaceted nature of our project, which might seem complex to non-creatives, is currently unfolding. We are laying the groundwork for a community that interweaves sustainability, entrepreneurship, and healthy living. This involves future collaborations with entities like SIK Selection Clothing brand, Zhudaru Clothing brand and artists collective, CLP Nation, RXE Unlimited, and local venues such as the Catalyst on the Deuces, Urban Drinkery, Urban Ink Tattoos, and Kava Shack. These partnerships, though in their nascent stages, are crucial in amplifying our mission. An integral part of our upcoming projects is TGIFunky TV, which will provide informational, cutting-edge, and entertaining content to educate and engage the community on sustainability topics. In the realm of creativity and sustainability, it’s the incremental steps that lead to significant change. Our fashion lines, educational initiatives, and local efforts like Freight Farm operations are in progress, laying the foundation for our broader goals. My journey in the creative world is about embracing change, valuing each step in the process, and recognizing the cumulative impact of these developing efforts. It’s a rich tapestry of interconnected actions and collaborations, each crucial in shaping a sustainable, vibrant community for the future. This perspective might offer valuable insights for those navigating their own creative paths, whether immediate or in the planning stages.
Contact Info:
- Website: Charlifunk.com
- Instagram: @charlifunk
- Facebook: Facebook.com/charlifunktheflyer
- Twitter: @charlifunk
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CharliFunk?si=tgvZ-SpjNL43b1xo
- Other: OrganaKart.com
Image Credits
Photo credits on photo. Images by Charli Funk, Ivan Washington, and Ulysses Burden, III