We were lucky to catch up with Dionne Character recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dionne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I have been able to earn a living from my creative work. It was like that from day one because I devised a plan to creatively give back to the community, using all of my skills, turning that into a brand. I started my own publishing company, wrote my first book, became an Essence Bestselling Author, created my own writing program “Writing With Character,” wherein I went to high schools, encouraging students to take their talent(s) from the classroom to the stage. In the end, the students were able to showcase their talents live through poetry, music, and writing, with a live band featuring musicians and poets from the community.

Before I became an Essence Bestselling Author, Creative Writing Instructor, Creative Coach, Columnist, and Poet, I was a professional background singer, who also performed in musical productions. However, there was always something in me wherein I felt the need to give back to the youth, who needed to know that “IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM — IT’S YOUR VISION THAT MATTERS.”

Today, I’m so delighted to be a Creative Coach with Wonderseed Foundation, where technology meets the human heart. Teaching Trauma-informed emotional intelligence programs to young people, currently in detention centers delivered through VR, AI, and the power of story, is a Dream!

Dionne, 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?

I was born with a many of talents. Talents which I think were developed while attending church at an early age, alongside my grandmother. I was able to learn how to sing, read announcements in front of attendees, and visualize and socialize in an environment, which promoted talent with an audience who encouraged and motivated young minds like mine to reach for the stars.

These talents propelled my career as a creative at an early age. I started playing the trumpet at 12 years old and by the time I was 16 years old, I was a professional singer traveling, as my career in music earned me a music scholarship to college. This then led to writing books, covering events, hosting a TV show, becoming an on-air radio personality and then hosting red carpet events from New Orleans to Hollywood.

What I enjoy most about my career is that I Visualized it from a child. I knew early on that the people responsible for my life were not capable of fulfilling my dreams. I took those talents and turned them into skills I can use for a lifetime.

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

Two years ago, I was in the middle of completing my book when I noticed I had lost vision in my left eye.

I was diagnosed with a macular hole from a fall and had to have three surgeries with an overwhelming amount of doctor’s appointments, while holding my head down for 45 minutes a day in a pillow, three times a day.

This took me a moment to digest because my entire career involved my using my eyes. I could hardly see to read, everything was bright and I had to learn how to function with such a loss as my immediate family had to help me get through this process.

I continued to visualize my career as a speaker, creative and wellness coach. I had to reach deep down inside myself to let everything else go. It took me two years to recover. I will never be able to see the same but I can sure continue to dream as that saved my career.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, I think because I was raised by my grandparents and had to attend church every Sunday, which enhanced my talents, I was able to visualize my life outside of my neighborhood. I used my imagination and creative skills, turning those things into a profession at an early age, allowing Creativity to save my life.

I am driven to changing the lives of youth girls and boys and adults, sharing my story on and off stage letting everyone know “IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM–IT’S YOUR VISION THAT MATTERS.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.characterhollywood.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dionnecharacter
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/divacharacter
• Soundcloud: htpps://stan.store/dionnecharacter
• Other: https://ladatanews.com/s=dionne+character