We recently connected with William O. Thompson II and have shared our conversation below.

William, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents did so many things right, but if I had to sum it up, they instilled in me three core values that have shaped both my life and my career: being a man of my word, staying humble, and always remembering where I come from.

From a young age, my parents taught me the importance of integrity. They made it clear that your word is everything—if you say you’re going to do something, you follow through. That sense of responsibility has been central to everything I do, whether it’s showing up for a client, staying true to my vision, or simply keeping promises to the people who support me. They never needed to say it more than once; their actions spoke volumes. My dad, in particular, always made sure I knew that no matter how far I went or what success I found, I should always be honest and stand by my commitments.

Humility was another lesson they taught me, even when things were going well. My parents made sure I understood that no matter what achievements I’d reach, I was never above anyone else. They always reminded me to stay grounded and to remember that the people who helped me get where I am deserve just as much recognition as I do. It’s something that’s stuck with me throughout my career, especially as my platform and influence have grown. I know the importance of lifting others up, staying grateful, and not letting success get to my head.

And perhaps most importantly, my parents always made sure I remembered my roots—where I came from and the values of our community. They never let me forget the hard work, the sacrifices, and the culture that shaped me. I’m proud to be from New Orleans, and they made sure that no matter how far I go, I always carry that pride with me.

These lessons have been crucial in my journey. They’ve helped me stay authentic, keep pushing forward, and build a career based on integrity and humility. Today, as I navigate the creative world, I carry those values with me—staying true to my word, keeping my feet on the ground, and always remembering where I came from. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

William, 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’m William Thompson (he/him/his)—a 28-year-old Brooklynite living in Bed-Stuy, but I am originally, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. I want to highlight that because if you’ve never been to New Orleans, I have to tell you: it’s a place bursting with history, culture, and so much spirit. Growing up in New Orleans, has shaped so many parts of who I am today—from the joy of community, like gathering for second lines with family and friends, to my love for fashion (as my mom would say, “You can’t go out the house looking any kind of way!”) and the importance of storytelling.

For me, fashion and storytelling go hand in hand—both are ways of preserving and sharing culture, and understanding where I’m from, where I am now, and where I’m headed. What sets me apart is the versatility of my style. I don’t fit neatly into any one niche or trend. In a world where it’s easy to fall into the trap of following the latest viral trend or templates, I strive to stay true to myself and create content that genuinely inspires me. In my work, on my page and the content that I create,, you’ll see a blend of influences and styles—because, like people, style isn’t static; it’s ever-evolving. People often ask how I’d describe my fashion sense, and I always say it’s hard to pin down because it’s less about labels and more about how I feel in the moment.

To me, fashion is more than just clothing—it’s armor for navigating life. It’s a form of expression that can go beyond the traditional boundaries of gender, and it’s something I’m passionate about exploring. Ultimately, I want my audience to leave feeling inspired. To me, style is about standing out, not fitting in. It’s about expressing yourself in a way that’s uniquely your own. So, I invite you to come along on this journey with me, and I hope the diversity of ideas and perspectives I share will spark something in you, too.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The driving force behind my creative journey is all about authentic self-expression. For me, it’s personal—deeply personal. As a Black gay man, for much of my life, I’ve been told what I can’t be or what I can’t do. But now, I’ve come to believe that there are no limits. I show up every day as my true self, in whatever form I’m feeling at that moment, and that’s exactly what I try to share through my work. My social media feed, my content—it’s not just about how I look, but about who I am, both personally and professionally, as I continue to evolve in life and in my career.

Looking back, it’s wild to think about how much time I spent trying to fit into a mold of who I thought others wanted me to be. It wasn’t until I stepped outside of the familiar comfort of the New Orleans and moved to a big city like New York that I truly started to embrace all the parts of myself I had been hiding. Those things I feared would make me stand out or draw attention? Turns out, they’re the very things people admire about me. Being a Black, gay, Southern man—those intersections are what make me unique, and I’ve learned to lean into them with pride.

My mission now is to empower others, especially people of color, queer folks, and marginalized communities, to take up the space they deserve. I know what it feels like to live in the shadows, or be ostracized and I don’t want anyone else to feel like they need to hide who they are. But taking up space isn’t just about being loud or visible for the sake of it—it’s about being intentional with that space, creating a platform to build community, and making sure we’re lifting others up along the way.At the heart of it all, my goal is to encourage people to embrace who they truly are. There’s so much power in being fully yourself, unapologetically. If my journey can inspire others to walk that same path, then that’s all I can ask for.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being creative is knowing that the work I do can truly make a difference in someone’s life. Creativity has the power to shift perceptions and challenge the way people see the world, and that’s something I don’t take lightly. I’ve always said that the only person I’m competing with is myself—pushing to be better today than I was yesterday. But what really moves me is when I get a message or comment from another queer Black boy, or someone who feels inspired just by seeing me be unapologetically myself. That connection is something special.

In today’s world, it feels like so many communities I care deeply about—LGBTQIA+, Black communities, HBCUs—are constantly under attack. It’s more important than ever to have the freedom and safety to express ourselves without fear of judgment or suppression. When we have the confidence to be our true selves, that’s one of the greatest gifts we can give—not just to ourselves, but to the world. We’re all uniquely made, so why waste time trying to be anyone else?
Knowing that my authenticity is helping to create space for others to show up as they are—that’s worth more than any award, praise, or paycheck. It’s a reminder that when we stand in our truth, we don’t just elevate our own lives, but we also spark a ripple effect of empowerment and inspiration in others. That, to me, is the ultimate reward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/good_willhuntin/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wothompsonii

Image Credits

Courtney Deion
Alexander Payson
JOAN Studios