We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taliek (CG) Ennis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Taliek (CG), thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
NYC is home to some of the most brightest and creative young stars. From young athletes to upcoming fashion stylists, to musicians and young actors/actresses, from dancers, screenwriters, authors, and much more, nyc is home to every type of young star one could be looking for it’s just about giving them that right opportunity to showcase their skills. NY seems to be heavily flawed when it comes to providing kids with the right type of programs & activities in schools (especially in the lower income areas) for our students to be able to firstly even be able to recognize the talents , interests, skills and work ethic they may really have. I personally know the feeling of growing up and being in a school system that feels like it has nothing valuable to offer you in the future career wise. If I never got sent to alternative school I would’ve never had the opportunity to fall in love with coding and start my creative journey from there. That opportunity wasn’t present in a regular nyc public school. Most nyc public schools either don’t have the funding for those programs or don’t care enough to put those extra programs in their system to expose their kids to greater opportunities and new skills, high paying skills in the real world that we don’t grow up learning and why is that? All I heard was go to college, pick a lane and get a degree in that specific field. That was the way only way it seemed to be successful, but that’s not the case, I wish trade schools were pushed on our students more! Internships etc! There’s not only one path it just seems it’s only one path they want us to take. It’s all about the tools you give to these kids the resources you put in front of them. If you’re only giving them the bare minimum of skills to learn then you’re limiting the heights that they could potentially reach. In my eyes we have enough doctors, lawyers , scientists and were always going to be producing more. Why not push for the others? The ones that know from age 8 they want to be a singer , song writer or author? So many times you’re told pick something more achievable or realistic when we need to be given the resources to generate our dreams into fruition.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Taliek Ennis also known as CG. Im a NYC based videographer/photographer who works alongside many young entrepreneurs in conducting interviews for the amazing platform ForTheKinfolk with the amazing host Jaylin.Mone & alongside many upcoming local artist in a lot of run and gun style video shoots. I’ve also done work with the international engineer Beddywhite_ for his platform BodegaStudios_ which features music artists from all over the world having an intimate studio session the man himself Beddy White. I’m a camera man that takes on all task, from photo shoots for nonprofit organizations to simply just creating with friends I’m always willing to work and help! I’m not in it for the money or notoriety that may come with the camera , most of my work I do is for free. 9 times out of 10 if I’m asked to do or help with a task without a payment behind it involving the camera I’m still taking that opportunity and running with it. That’s what separates me from the entire crowd, I do this off of pure passion.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I feel as this is a topic that doesn’t get discussed enough! Trying to balance your dreams and goals with the expectations of real life could be really overwhelming. All businesses have to start from somewhere and that initial start and even maintaining from there on could be an entire mission on its own. At first it was just about putting everything I had into what I loved, every penny I had saved up went into my photography and it was brutal, even now being a city worker for NY to fund what I truly love to do is a difficulty. Beyond the money it’s the energy and time that’s also being consumed and that could be extremely hard to keep balanced. Nearly everything I make from my day job goes right back into my brand and equipment.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The passing of my best friend will always be my mission to keep me going! More than finally starting to get noticed little by little for my work, what I’m most proud of is seeing the trend of #GREENHEARTS. The green heart emoji has always been used by people around the world but for me it has a bit of an extra meaning to it. It’s a way to carry on a name and a story. Seeing people use the greenhearts whenever they see my work, post my work or even mention me makes me feel beyond proud knowing that’s carrying my best friend name on in a positive light. Every time the world see greenhearts and that hashtag I want them to know we’re pushing something bigger than just us!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Shot by @doublegcg_