We recently connected with Rayquan Blake and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rayquan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My earliest memory of wanting to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally was in high school. I enrolled in a magnet school, Miami Lakes Educational Center where I studied Television Production/Film for those four years. In my freshman year I had the opportunity to write and direct my first short film, and that was such a test drive experience.

That next school year as a sophomore, I also enrolled in the Florida Film Institute (FFI). Huge shoutout to FFI which is a film program that specializes in teaching the art, business and science of filmmaking to middle school and high school students. FFI held an after school program at my high school where I gained more hands-on experience in film.

While learning about producing, editing, cinematography and other areas, simultaneously I also created silent films, sound films, and tv spots through FFI. That same school year, I received a second place screenplay award. After that accomplishment, I remembered telling myself and my family, “I want to continue making films”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About me/How got into my industry: My name is Rayquan Xavier Blake, I am from Miami, Florida. I grew up in the Norland neighborhood of Miami Gardens, in a family of six children, where I was the youngest child. As a child, I have keen memories of going to Blockbuster and ordering DVDs, marking my initial fascination and love for motion pictures. Watching movies also became a significant bonding moment for my family and I, fostering a deep appreciation for film. Since then, I’ve been intrigued by the world of cinema and inspired by the rich and diverse experiences of characters in movies.

A movie by the name of “Higher Learning”, written and directed by John Singleton really left an impression on me. It was one of those movies that had such depth and consciousness with its complex narratives. What really got to me was that Singleton, as the first director who truly inspired me, was not just talented but also a successful black figure in an industry where that kind of representation wasn’t always common. It meant a lot to see someone breaking barriers and making impactful films.

What You think sets you apart from others:
As a creative, what I’ve noticed is that when it comes to my peers in the film space, we all share this initial attraction to filmmaking. But what really sets us apart is the mix of experiences we bring to the table and the timing of our creative journeys. It’s like, we might have started in a similar place, but our upbringing and the stuff we go through—the good, the bad, and the in-between—shape us uniquely. And that’s what allows each of us to find our own voice and create projects that really mirror who we are.

Growing up in Miami was something else, especially in my predominantly black neighborhood. There was this beautiful mix of art, joy, some tough moments, and real success stories. Now, as a creative, I’m all about bringing those unique experiences to the forefront. I want my community, the Black diaspora, to watch my work and go, ‘Yeah, that’s us!’ You know, I want them to feel seen, to know that our black experience isn’t one-size-fits-all. We’re a diaspora, and we’re all different. It’s about celebrating those differences and letting our stories shine in all their diverse glory.

What type of creative works you provide:
So, I’ve been in the creative game for a while, donning different hats. From whipping up short films to vibing in the world of music videos, and more recently, plunging into documentaries. The thing is, no matter how many projects I’ve tackled, I’ll always be a student of the craft. It’s a constant journey of learning and evolving, and as I bring this mix of storytelling flavors to the table, I’m forever adding my own special twist to the creative pot.

What are you most proud of/what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/:
Right now, I’m brimming with excitement about my documentary ‘For Us,’ available on Vimeo. It’s like my baby. I created this project during my undergrad at Emerson College in Boston. In ‘For Us,’ I took a deep dive into the multifaceted layers of the Black community, seen through the eyes of Black Emerson college students across the African diaspora. We’re talking about everything from Colorism to Black Toxic Masculinity, to the stigma around Black Mental Health—basically, all the stuff we need to talk about. But you know what makes it extra special? It’s not just about highlighting the issues; it’s about bringing our community together. It’s a conversation starter, a unity call for the Black family.

And why am I so excited about this? Well, it goes beyond just filmmaking for me. My creative goal is to speak to my Black community across generations and backgrounds. I want us to be tighter in our families, in the workplace—everywhere. ‘For Us’ is more than a documentary; it’s my way of saying, ‘Hey, let’s come together and make things better for us all.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me, is understanding that my creative journey is distinctly my own. I’ve come to realize that there’s no need to measure my artistic achievements or compare my progress to anyone else’s. It’s about appreciating my own pace and not feeling rushed to release work just to meet some external standard. And you know, I hope fellow creatives grasp this sentiment too—acknowledging that each one of us has our own unique path, and there’s genuine satisfaction in embracing it without unnecessary pressure or comparison.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Alright, so peep this: 2020 hits, pandemic takes over, and boom! Film sets close down. Talk about a curveball, right? But hey, necessity is the mother of invention, they say. So, I did a 180 and jumped into podcasting, a whole new art form for me. My podcast, Keepin’ it a Buck, became my quarantine baby, you can catch it on all podcast platforms. It was a way to keep connecting with people going through the same stuff—lockdowns, the whole shebang.

What’s cool is, I started bringing on guests, chatting about life, quarantine tales, you name it. And guess what happened after Season One wrapped up? I fell head over heels for podcasting and radio. This summer, I snagged a gig as a radio host at WERS 88.9 in Boston. But don’t worry, I’m coming back to Keepin’ it a Buck real soon. It’s like my OG love, you know?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rayquanb12.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayquanblake/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayquan-blake-536860219

Image Credits
Personal Photo taken by: Zamzam Elmoge 1st photo (to the top left) taken by : Laura Hoffheimer 6th photo (on the right where there’s a guy with a paper in his hand, talking to me) taken by : Zamazam Elmoge 7th photo (on the left; pictures shows my crew and I taking a photo together) taken by: Zamzam Elmoge