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

Hi Lawrence, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

In our current economy, I believe the systems in place today are clearly not the systems of yesterday. The world is moving at an incredibly fast pace and there is little we can do to stop it. Most would argue there is no stopping it at all. This digital revolution is here whether we like it or not. With that being said, our response to the recent climate will more than likely dictate our future and the future of the generation in bloom. How we molded it, understand it, accept it, and most of all navigate through it highly relies on the information we decide to focus on as a collective body. I think the current educational system fails to place and prioritize a sense of clarity towards the future that is, and the future that can be. Furthermore, failing to broaden the scope of what the children can and should pursue. Not everyone is meant to work a 9-5 and that’s okay. I cannot understate how important it is to make these children aware of the current and future landscape. The possibilities of pursuing something meaningful over something that is comfortable in light of a career, should not remain unaddressed. A fulfilling career today does not stem from following the same “plan” that was laid out decades ago. I believe a successful “career” and fulfilling life does not come from a narrowly informed yet fully expectant child. In fact, a child with a broader view of the world and its ongoing development or otherwise, is much more likely to make a sound decision. One that drastically raises the chances finding fulfillment and enriching their lives as well as the lives of others. In this, I deem the latter statement more approximates the ideal, right? Life is a risk and students (as we all are) should be subject to a moderate level of risk management. All in all, I believe we should take the interests of the students more seriously and provide more resources, necessary to align with a more authentic path sooner rather than later.

Lawrence, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Lawrence, but my people often refer to me as Coz. At the heart of my craft, I am an artist. More specifically, I am a maker of things, a producer, director and storyteller, from and by the human experience. I consider my service as a means to an end, a vehicle for visual and creative expression. I help people communicate their message, that is my art form. Seeing as how everyone has something to say, I’ve taken to involving myself in that process. Brining an idea, concept, or thought to life by means of photography, fashion, and film has become the truest act of joy. I mostly work with artists, designers, and brands to produce work that is relevant, authentic and true. I am most proud of the journey I’ve had up to this point and even beyond this moment in time. Through trials and triumphs, I have done my best to remain myself, to remain whole outside of (as well as within) my perspective of work and play. To whom it may likely concern, know that I am excited to share this mosaic with you.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the part where you do, exactly what you said you were going to do. A lot of the time I find that people (including myself) stall on their ideas for a multitude of reasons. These reasons could stan anywhere from lack of motivation to imposter syndrome to fear of failure or harsh critique. I’ve recognized these patterns within creatives that are hesitant to put their work out there. In your mind, you can think of all the reasons not to, all the many ways this could fail, all of the doubts and fears start creeping up on you. Now imagine releasing that self-doubt and all the other emotions tied to it, in the form of the art you could not stop thinking about. Whatever it is, it is alive now. It becomes that much more precious to you because you looked in the mirror and pulled something out. You’ve changed in doing so and you’ve also created the momentum to actualize your other ideas, and possibly those of others. The reward is the feeling you get when you use the gifts you have because so much can come from it. By definition you have committed an act of love and that is no small thing. The best part is, this feeling doesn’t have to stop, you can continue to create and generate that feeling again and again. Eventually, if not already, you’re able to create a space for others to foster the same emotion you felt in pursuing your work. I believe this basis of reward is one of few that can be exponentially multiplied through time and space,

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn would be, trying to ensure that everything was in perfect order before beginning. I had to unlearn and let go of my binding to a need know everything about a subject before I decide to act on it. The words, “what are you working on” made me realize I was losing out on a key element of my art form and one of the main reasons why I chose to create. I was losing the element of discovery; I was sucking the fun out of my own joy by withholding my urge to just start creating. It was in the midst of being on set, mid-production, development, pro-production, and everything in between that I felt that chill down my neck and the dopaminergic energy surge through me. There was something profound and real about the doing rather than the learning and allocating of information. It was active fulfillment and a deepening source of purpose, although not always glamourous, the act of creating is one like no other. I think it’s also important to note that I experienced an underling need to be an expert because I paid to much attention to the end product(s) around me and what it could be rather than directing my attention back to what I can immediately control. Which is not at all a reasonable price to pay. nor was it a sustainable investment in myself. Too much thinking and not enough action can leave you feeling less. Like Nike said, “just do it.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cozylawrence?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-okonya-82b6a821a

Image Credits
Ike Abakah – Photographer (B&W) Marlon Turner – Photographer (Color)