Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to DeVon Lamont Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi DeVon Lamont, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is a short film called The Space Between, which I wrote, produced, co-directed, and starred in as the lead actor.

The project came at a pivotal time in my life. The year leading up to it was one of the most difficult seasons I’ve experienced. Professionally, I was struggling to find my footing as an actor and filmmaker in Cleveland. Opportunities to work on projects that reflected my voice, experiences, and creative passions were limited, and I found myself constantly waiting for the right opportunity to come along.

Personally, I was exhausted. Mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I knew something needed to change.

At the beginning of 2025, I spent several days fasting, praying, and seeking clarity about what was next for me. During that time, I felt God reveal a simple but powerful truth: the things I was hoping for weren’t going to happen until I made them happen. Instead of waiting for someone to give me an opportunity, I needed to create one for myself.

That realization completely shifted my mindset. I committed to bringing The Space Between to life and approached the project with a level of determination and faith that I hadn’t experienced before. Once I made that decision, everything seemed to fall into place. The right cast, crew, location, and equipment all came together in ways that felt almost impossible when I first started.

What makes the project so meaningful is that it represents a turning point in my life. It wasn’t just a film, it was proof that I could create my own opportunities rather than wait for them. It taught me the value of initiative, perseverance, and trusting the vision God placed on my heart. Every time I think about The Space Between, I’m reminded that growth often happens in the gap between where you are and where you believe you’re meant to be—and that sometimes the first step is simply deciding to move forward.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is DeVon Lamont Thomas, and I’m an actor, filmmaker, producer, musician and entrepreneur from Cleveland, Ohio. I’ve dedicated myself to creating authentic, inclusive stories that amplify voices and experiences that are often overlooked, particularly within minority communities.

My creative journey began with music. When I was five years old, my mom paid for drum lessons, which sparked a lifelong love for the arts. Eventually, I learned to play the saxophone, and that instrument opened the door to musical theater in high school. Through musical theater, I discovered a passion for acting, performance, and storytelling that would ultimately shape the direction of my life and career. That passion eventually led me into filmmaking, where I found a medium that combined everything I loved: story, music, visual artistry, and human emotion. I later earned my degree in Digital Cinematography from Full Sail University.

What drew me to this industry was the desire to tell our stories through a different lens. I believe stories are sacred. For too long, too many of ours have been silenced, simplified, or left unseen. We deserve to see our lives reflected not only through struggle, but through tenderness, wonder, joy, and grace.

As a filmmaker, I am drawn to stories that expand how we see ourselves and one another. I want to create worlds where Black imagination has no ceiling. Where reality and dream intertwine, where memory and possibility coexist, and where the extraordinary reveals itself within the everyday. Through my work, I hope to honor the richness of our experiences while offering audiences stories that feel both deeply personal and universally human.

Through my creative work, I develop narrative films and television projects that explore themes of identity, love, faith, family, purpose, and resilience. I’m particularly drawn to character-driven stories that sit at the intersection of art and humanity: stories that entertain while also encouraging meaningful conversations.

What sets me apart is that I approach storytelling from multiple perspectives. As an actor, I understand character. As a writer, I understand structure and theme. As a producer and director, I understand how to bring a vision to life from concept to completion. This allows me to bridge the creative and practical sides of filmmaking while remaining deeply connected to the emotional core of every project.

One of the things I’m most proud of is creating my film The Space Between. During a difficult season of my life, I stopped waiting for opportunities and decided to create one myself. I wrote, produced, co-directed, and starred in the film, and the experience reaffirmed my belief that faith, perseverance, and action can transform a vision into reality. That project became a defining moment in both my personal and professional growth.

Beyond my own career, I’m passionate about building opportunities for other creatives. One of my long-term goals is to establish a film studio in Cleveland that gives emerging filmmakers, actors, and artists access to resources and opportunities without feeling like they have to leave the city to pursue their dreams.

Above all, I want people to know that my work is rooted in purpose. I believe storytelling has the power to connect people, challenge perspectives, and create lasting impact. Whether someone watches one of my films, collaborates on a project, or follows my journey, I hope they see a commitment to authenticity, excellence, and stories that matter.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is knowing that something I created can make another person feel seen.

I believe stories have the power to connect us in ways few other things can. Whether it’s a film, a performance, or a conversation sparked by a piece of art, there’s something special about watching someone recognize a part of themselves in a story. Those moments remind me that we’re not as alone in our struggles, dreams, fears, or hopes as we sometimes think we are.

As a filmmaker and actor, I’m especially passionate about telling stories that reflect people and communities that haven’t always had the opportunity to see themselves represented authentically on screen. When someone tells me that a character felt real, that a story resonated with their experience, or that a project inspired them to pursue their own dreams, that’s more meaningful to me than any award or recognition.

I also find fulfillment in the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Film brings together artists from different backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives to create something larger than any one person could accomplish alone. Being part of that process is a constant reminder of what can happen when creativity, purpose, and community come together.

At the end of the day, the most rewarding part of being a creative is knowing that the work can leave a lasting impact. If something I create helps a person feel understood, challenged, inspired, or hopeful, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives sometimes struggle to understand is that being a creative often means investing years of your life into something before you see any tangible results.

In many professions, there is a relatively clear roadmap. You earn a degree, gain experience, move up the ladder, and success is often measured by promotions, titles, or income. Creative careers rarely work that way. There are long stretches where you’re developing your craft, creating work, facing rejection, and questioning whether you’re moving in the right direction, all while the outcome remains uncertain.

What people often see are the finished films, performances, awards, or achievements. What they don’t see are the countless hours spent learning, failing, revising, sacrificing, and continuing to believe in yourself when there is very little external validation. They don’t see the projects that never got made, the opportunities that fell through, or the moments when you seriously considered giving up.

For me, one of the biggest lessons has been understanding that creativity requires faith. Not just faith in God, but faith in the process. You have to believe that the work you’re doing today will matter tomorrow, even when there is no evidence of it yet.

I’ve learned that success as a creative isn’t just about talent. It’s about resilience. It’s about continuing to create when nobody is watching, continuing to improve when nobody is applauding, and continuing to pursue your vision even when the path forward isn’t clear.

If there’s one thing I’d want aspiring creatives to know, it’s that uncertainty doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. Sometimes uncertainty is simply the price of pursuing something meaningful. Keep creating, keep learning, and keep showing up. You never know which project, opportunity, or moment will change everything.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @devonlamontt
• Twitter: @devonlamontt
• Youtube: @DeVonLamontt
• Other: The Space Between film Instagram: @film.thespacebetween