We recently connected with Tone Love and have shared our conversation below.

Tone, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My path to unlocking my creativity started in computers, not the arts. Since elementary school, I was mesmerized by the power of computers. My school possessed a single Apple II/e computer designated for student use, which the faculty would rotate among classrooms every few days in a round robin fashion. I found solstice in playing and learning games like Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego, Logo (a programming language) and Oregon Trail. I eagerly embraced the idea that I could use computers to create anything my heart desired, so I immersed myself in learning how to program them. By middle school, I was a near-expert in three programming languages.

While I enjoyed creating programs, it was an arduous process and I began enjoying 1990s music and dancing. I decided to create a deejay and party promotion company and I once again tapped into my computer expertise to create flyers using Adobe Photoshop. By the mid 90s, I was an expert graphics artist, and I later started a web and graphics company once I relocated to Atlanta in 2000.

It wasn’t until 2016 that I found a whole new passion as an actor. I had garnered an opportunity to meet Morris Chestnut at the American Black Film Festival through a nationwide contest. He made his directorial debut, directing a short film that was inspired by my life. He asked whether I ever thought about acting, and I simply said, “no.” Before then, I had never considered a career in acting or producing and knew nothing about the industry. He planted the seed, and a few years later, I tried out as a background actor. On day #1 on The Originals, I realized this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

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

I am an actor, a filmmaker, and a business owner. I see myself as a trendsetter and my brand, Setting The Tone (settingthetone.com), reflects my vision to empower others to push forward with their dreams, regardless of naysayers.

I started my first company, Toneee (toneee.com), to help small businesses look as professional as Fortune 500 companies. Toneee has completed thousands of websites, marketing materials, videos, social media marketing projects, and more for over two decades.

Setting The Tone (STT) started as a reality show idea to illustrate how I and other small business owners navigated to stay afloat. It evolved into a brand that birthed a podcast, social media communities, and most recently, a TV/film production company. STT is currently producing a talk show called Live With Carisha (carisha.tv), targeted to air in fall 2023.

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

As a creative, I find that both acting and filmmaking, as well as building brands for small businesses through my marketing firm, offer unique and fulfilling rewards.

In the realm of acting and filmmaking, I find it to be therapeutic in many ways. The process of immersing myself in a character or a story allows me to explore and express different emotions, perspectives, and experiences. It’s a form of catharsis and self-expression that can be incredibly fulfilling, as I have the opportunity to delve into the human condition and connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. Moreover, the collaborative nature of acting and filmmaking, working with a team of fellow creatives, fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, which can be both personally and professionally rewarding.

On the other hand, building brands for small businesses through my marketing firm gives me a sense of contributing to society in a meaningful way. By helping small businesses establish their identity, communicate their values, and connect with their target audience, I feel like I am making a positive impact on their growth and success. Small businesses are the backbone of many communities, and being able to support them in their endeavors through my creative skills is truly rewarding. It’s fulfilling to see my work contribute to the growth and success of these businesses, which in turn can have a positive impact on local economies and communities.

In summary, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative for me is the therapeutic and self-expressive nature of acting and filmmaking, as well as the sense of contributing to society and supporting small businesses through my marketing firm. Both aspects bring me a sense of fulfillment and purpose in my creative endeavors.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Like many other Americans, I was not raised in a two-parent household. In fact, much of my childhood was in perpetual instability, being raised in foster and group homes.

As a child, I had to learn to adapt to different living environments quickly. Being a foster child had its unique set of challenges outside of typical growing pains. Children and adults would often prejudge, scorn, verbally disrespect, or even assault me. I would observe how this would diminish the self-esteem of other kids in a similar position. My observation, along with counseling, helped me hone in on my confidence and self-identity. I spent much of my childhood daydreaming about becoming someone people would admire, and I worked hard not to allow myself to become a victim of circumstance.

At age 14, I used my adaptability to start my first unofficial business as a deejay and promoter. I was the youngest of my crew, yet the leader. I was well-received by business owners (i.e., club owners) and customers much older than me because I was articulate and well-rounded. I attribute that to living in different types of homes and interacting with a wide range of people.

Ultimately, I took my dire circumstances and used them to work in my favor. For this reason, I strive to teach resilience to children and younger adults as a part of my legacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://toneloves.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toneloves/
• Facebook: https://fb.me/toneloves/

Image Credits
Setting The Tone Media Group