We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melvin Cotton III. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melvin below.

Melvin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

To date the most meaningful project has been show series I created with my wife called “Faith & Food”. This is an inspirational cooking show we created together. My wife is a cook, she’s loved cooking since she was a child. From what I’m told she use to pretend she had a cooking show as a kid and pull all her mom’s pot/pans out on the floor in the kitchen. As a creative, my wife and I have served in various roles to mentor and inspire youth (this is how we met). Long story short; her and I decided to combine out skill sets, (her as a cook, me and a producer) to create a show that both inspires people to eat healthy (feed their stomachs) and feed their spirits. Faith & Food was born; and for us sharing in this creative space alongside her has been a joy and bond. Through our creative skills and desire to inspire others it has brought us closer together and allowed us to have fun doing it. My goal as a filmmaker is to inspire and entertain, and through this mission I have experienced just that in my own personal life, family & marriage!

watch Faith & Food here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0m9FpoSdcc
hosted by Melissa Cotton: @thehouseofmels

Melvin, 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?

I started as a Christian RAP artist. This is where I was first introduced to the love of inspiring audiences with the gifts God has given me. I still create music, but the Lord has evolved my creativity beyond simply the ears but to visually expressing his love on screen. In college I pursued and received a masters degree in entertainment business and from there I went on tour across the southeast sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. While in college I learned the business of film production and focused my master thesis presentation on a television concept. This became the catalyst for my film career. After my son was born I spent time home developing several show and film concepts, I traveled to Los Angeles, CA and work on my first Hollywood film; and since then God has been opening more doors to share his love via film/television. “Inspire & Entertain” is the mission God gave me. To create content with meaning, that will positively impact audiences and ultimately using my life to point people to Jesus Christ. I love what I do, and I love to create. My hope is that I use all my creative talents to encourage and point people to Jesus Christ.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The idea that I needed to wait! That sounds a bit forward but what I mean is I had this thought in my head that I couldn’t be a producer because I didn’t have the money or resources or I wasn’t in Hollywood; so none of my ideas would work. That was a false narrative! All I needed was my phone, everyday WE create content for social media, we post it on their platforms to various audiences. So why couldn’t I create? The answer to that is there was no reason why. So I did, I sat down, gathered my thought, I prayed everyday that God would provide the necessary resources I needed and He did. With a small budget of funds I allocated from my own pocket, I was able to create my first music album, then later produce the first version of Faith & Food. After seeing what I could do with little to nothing, that motivated me. I wanted to learn more, improve my skills and ultimate get better at my craft. Since then both my music and film project have been nominated and won several awards; I’ve traveled and ministered/inspired audiences on small and large stages; and I’m still learning new things and growing as a producer. My advice to anyone reading this article, and take what you have (whether little or much) give it to God and move as he leads you to move. Create, build, grow right where you are. You are enough right now, you don’t have to wait! Go out and make your dream happen TODAY!

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

Inspire & Entertain! I’ve mentioned this phrase a few times throughout this article. Using my talents to share the love of Jesus Christ to people. Film, music and live experiences; I ultimately want to serve Christ through my ability’s; while making an Impact, Inspiring people and leave a Legacy for the next generation to build upon and go further than I could ever go!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/ctkaffiliates/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gene_ctk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genectk
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melvin-cotton-iii-mba-45ab6928/
• Twitter: twitter.com/gene_ctk
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/ZmqEQhLUDzw
• Other: Also follow Melissa Cotton (the host of Faith & Food) Instagram: @thehouseofmels website: https://msha.ke/thehouseofmels/