We recently connected with Malik Bannister and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Malik thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Throughout my life, both my mother and father found it important to stay at connected to their spiritual foundations; a relationship with God was the foundation for all things done in our household. My mother has been a school & spiritual educator in the school and church culture for 20+ Years, currently holding a Doctorate Degree in an Educational Leadership. Mom always made it a point for me to challenge the reality around me; always read more into things, research, never take it at face value, etc. Funny enough, I was raised in the Christian faith so while at home I questions everything from the rising Sun to the Christian Crusades of the 1095. Thankfully this inquisitive habit has guided me on an infinite quest for knowledge, the application of such knowledge into wisdom, and finally the awareness to create these opportunities at all!

My father was a far-cry in difference from my mom; a musician, world-traveled drummer operating out of New York City. He too was faith-based in his dealings however my dad taught me through analogies; his philosophy was one of empathy. The concept of Placing yourself in a position to understand others has always served as a way to be vulnerable and patience with people. My father made sure to make as Much space for conversation as he did for entertainment.

Between both parents, my entire life’s journey has been a journey to find a greater purpose beyond myself. Finding the answer to one question always led to the discovery of another. Placing myself in other’s world became living another’s life to understand how we all connect. In this current day, I am appreciative for the knowledge of a connected ecosystem, although I did not fully grasp the concept. however, now, as a Choreographer in Los Angeles, California, I use these same tools to find channels and avenues to connect with other human beings in their own journeys!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been working, and expressing myself in the arts since childhood, an honor if you ask me. Started with watching my neighbors dancing in middle school, becoming a part of the dance team in my high school, growing to become apart of the dance team at my church, and finally making space for dance organizations/communities within the collegiate journey. All of these opportunities served as training grounds for the BIG move to California in 2016.

As a visual creative in Los Angeles, I hold several titles; Creative Director, Choreographer, Host, & BTS photographer with some Modeling and acting on the side. The majority of my clients come to me for the “creative“ side of being a creative Director, i like to cast my cares to the wind in order to so I may very well find myself suggesting a wall of cascading snails as a representation of one’s mental state while their grieve over the death of another OR something as simple as adding purple to a cloud for an emotional response.

I see art as a way to express all that way are and have yet to discover in this beautiful lifetime. I take pride in the fact that the art I’m connected to can bring people to their most authentic emotions through my artistic creativity. The entire POINT to this artistic career is to dive deeper into ourselves so we can reach heights we’ve never imagined!

Have you ever had to pivot?

In the year 2019, I found myself having to pivot my career when I realized I would not be able to make the finances that I needed for this career. I was given an opportunity to work at a hotel in Hollywood California as a bar back/bartender. Successfully working for a year allowed me opportunities to meet celebrities, to model, engaged, find out the inside structure of the hotel chain, and at least understand the depth of the concept of “effective networking”. Although it seemed as if I was stepping my way up within the company, I was let go due to a scheduling issue… Which, then put me in the position of having no money. Luckily, within the same week, I was given an opportunity to fly across the country to represent a Japanese digital media space which specializes in covering anime, social culture, fashion, etc. anime. Ever since then I’ve been connected to all things Kawaii 🥰🙏🏾

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

I believe one of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative and seeing your influence in real time. Money is great, connections are great, but there are not a lot of things in this world that Trump creating space to make him more positive world. As I said prior to; but I believe my mother and father would be proud that I’ve stayed on this path of questioning the status quo, I’ve analogizing my life with the lives of others, and doing all of this, so I can stay connected to humanity itself. I thrive off of enthusiasm, creativity, effort, and energy. And I HOPE hope that the world also finds beauty in their own journeys.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Gvmby
• Facebook: @Gvmby
• Twitter: @Gvmbytv
• Youtube: @Gvmbytv
• Other: Twitch.tv/Gvmbytv

Image Credits
All images from @Gvmbytv on IG (my photography IG)