We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Torrence Brannon-Reese a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Torrence, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
My creative work includes my role as MSW, Founder & CEO of the Foundation for Arts, Mentoring, Leadership & Innovation, aka, FAMLI, Inc. Under FAMLI, I have created several projects, programs, activities, events, and services that at once enhance opportunities for youth and community members,, and allow me to express myself as a creative, caring, concerned and actively involved/engaged human being. The fact that I now earn a living from my creative projects, is informed by the fact that each and everything I do, is representative of what I was born to do; teaching, leading, reading, writing, singing, playing the guitar, organizing, engaging as a politically aware advocate, youth mentor and facilitator, who created and offers my own curriculum model’ not one designed by others. The journey included years of working jobs for other agencies, etc., and finally, after more than 25 years of that, consciously deciding and saying got myself, that as long as I live, from this moment on, I will work for myself, and myself only; that was 14 years ago, and I have not looked back. The change only came when I made up my mind that I wanted a different kind of life that made me the architect of my professional and artistic desires and passions. As far as what would have speeded up the process, that is simply me making up my mind to make my move earlier, nothing was stopping me, but me.
Torrence, 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 am a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and as a consequence of being birth in a city ripe with culture, music, arts, and creative energy, I organically immersed myself in this dynamic, historically rich environment. As a youngster, I was always singing and dancing, and early on, expressed an obvious talent/gift for the arts, and a multi-gifted sportsman, IE; Football in basketball, Track, Baseball, Boxing, and anything else I engaged in, my gifts were GOD given as I did not have to really work too hard to participate and excel. Yet, I did work hard in practice, and early on, developed a good attitude of confidence, and winning. As a nonprofit Founder & CEO, I help youth and adults change their lives by inspiring them to believe in their innate abilities, via my life mastery curriculum I call, “Da Root” curriculum. This curriculum is based upon or operates from its nine foundational or, critical life themes including; Spirituality, Culture, Career, Education, Economics, Politics, Health, Family, and Personal Responsibility. What sets me apart from others is an unyielding, dynamic zeal for life, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, information, and education. Also, I do not believe in failure, and I do not subscribe to the concept of self-doubt, or, even worrying about anything. I am most proud of the fact that I/We (FAMLI) have made a difference in the lives of thousands of human beings in search of a better, more productive and meaningful life. Moreover, I am proud of the fact that We/I have made history, IE; adding the name Malcolm X to Crenshaw Blvd., (Street Co-Naming project), or organizing the most significant photographic gathering of artists in our Los Angeles, Black community, Leimert Park BLACK ARTS Village, and much more! I want folks to know that FAMLI is an agency that they can be proud of, and that we are an entity that continues to make a difference. As an artist, I am helping to preserve and promote Black music, in particular, the New Orleans indigenous musical creations, soul music, blues, etc., and, I have written songs that will always have relevance and will not go out of style, so, my sincerity of purpose transcends my community/educational/youth development works, and permeates in my artistic life also.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The story of legendary singer/writer/businessman Sam Cooke endlessly inspires me and informs much of my work not only as an artist, etc., but Sam’s life also inspires and motivates me as a social change agent. The fact that Sam Cooke possessed one of the most beautiful voices in music history, would have been enough to solidify his space/place in history, yet, he found it necessary to master the business of music, opening his own record label, publishing firm, and produced himself and other artists, and wrote most of his hits. In addition, Sam fought against racism and white supremacy and refused to sing before segregated audiences. Additionally, he reached back and helped other artists who were in need of a leg up, and he changed the lives of countless friends and family members. Sam was a great model for his people, and all people in need of an authentic human being, and strong male image.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to change the course of human history through my artistic and community work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.famlisoul.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/torrencebrannonreese/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torrence.reese/
- Youtube: Torrence Brannon Reese