Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to De’ Tray Wade. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
De’ Tray, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I pull optimism from multiple sources – myself, Christ, friends/loved ones, and past successes achieved through hardship.
I’m naturally optimistic – always seeing the glass filling to overflow. I’m always dreaming, and now that I’m living my dreams I remain fueled with optimism about what I will achieve next.
Does this come without adversity? No, but I know that adversity works FOR me so that I’m equipped for what’s upcoming. Adversities are the steps of my winding staircase leading to my highest potential. I have my difficulties, but my curiosity about what’s beyond them keeps me going in spite of.
I find optimism in Christ, and this is the most essential source from where my optimism comes. I wouldn’t have the silver-lining sight that I do if it weren’t for my personal and intimate relationship with Christ. I follow His lead and my life is better from my soul outward. In fact, my optimism is because of the soul work I surrendered to these last couple of years – God did! 🙂
Additionally, I find my optimism in the successes of my friends and loved ones. Seeing them succeed fuels me to succeed as well. I celebrate their wins, aid them in their struggles, and comfort them in their losses because I know that regardless of where life finds them and me, we will continue to grow and thrive. We inspire each other, and that keeps optimism alive.
Lastly, the following hardships I’ve faced and conquered to achieve all that I have thus far are a source of optimism for me:
– Graduating high school and college with the odds stacked high against me. I won!
– Enduring the deepest misery and depression I’ve ever faced, and then returning to it in victory. I won!
– Moving to and thriving in one of THE most expensive cities in the world. I continue to win!
To God be the glory! If I can face and conquer those few of many hardships and come out on top, then I can face/do anything!
I am optimistic.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Hmm…this is always an interesting question because it leaves me wondering “Where do I start?”
Honestly, I’ve experienced a lot of personal growth and change in the last couple of years and it’s been a beautiful journey thus far. Whats remained consistent is my love of people; helping and serving others in whatever capacity I’m able.
I’m an actor and a model – NEWLY reintroduced to modeling. I’ve had the opportunity to appear in many commercials as well as a few TV shows. Now I’m endeavoring to land spokesperson for a major brand I like/support, become series regular on a hit show, or a show to become a hit, and star in major motion pictures. Big (achievable) Goals!
I once asked my mom “what did I show an affinity for as a child?” and she said “you loved to help.” Now, at the time I asked her this I was second-guessing my career as an actor wondering should I do something else, and I wanted her to say something about performance, but she didn’t and because of that I said within myself “wrong answer, mom.”
For me, it was acting. From age 9 I knew I wanted to be on TV and in movies because of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. So when my mom said “helping” I thought well she was no help”, LOL! Boy was I wrong! From that moment I began to remember that I’ve always loved helping people; and I’ve always given of myself in some capacity to help others, BUT I also love to act so in essence we both we’re right.
That question came from my personal belief that if you want to know what you should be doing with your life, revisit your childhood and ask your parents/parental figures. They watched you closely. What was the thing (or things) you were enamored with as a child, and let that be a point of reference for navigation.
Since becoming a model again, I recently had the opportunity to appear in the Black on the Block kickoff fashion show of the then upcoming LA Fashion week. I’m eager for more opportunities to walk a runway, but the big goal of modeling right now is to appear on a billboard at Times Square and on Sunset Blvd in a Calvin Klein underwear ad. I imagine the journey to that moment will be interesting and intriguing!
I am a brand of my own, but the challenge I presently face is how to really promote myself. I need help with that. I know I wanna be great and I will be, but the interim is sometimes discouraging when you’re unsure about HOW to accomplish it. I lean into the confidence that my steps are being ordered!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Determination! This is so key because you will encounter adversity along the way, but as long as you’re resolute about what it is you want you’ll have it.
2. Faith! Also an important key. I’ve had to have faith in myself even when it felt like I was the only one who did. I always saw myself doing what I love for a living even when I wasn’t sure HOW I’d achieve it. Now I’m living my dreams and they’re increasing.
I remember being intimidated when I first moved to Los Angeles. I said a prayer and went to church. The sermon was about faith and I heard God so clearly say “have faith.” Needless to say, it’s been working for me. 🙂
3. Perseverance! Akin to determination except this is needed WHEN you meet doubt, fear, and adversity along the way. In spite of what life presents as a challenge against you reaching your goal(s) you have to be tenacious.
As a child I spent many nights with my cousins. We really grew up as siblings. I remember one morning as we were cleaning up – and even at like 9 years old I knew we were less fortunate financially – I said out loud “I’m not gonna live like this” and I meant it. This year I realized that every decision made by me for me to be where I am today has been from the foundation of that declaration.
Feeling trapped by jobs, loans, financial obligations to family – I yet persevered because regardless of it all I knew none of it was my life forever, and I would say to myself “this is just a stepping stone to my destiny.” I was willing to drop everything to give myself my best chance, and that’s just what I did; and it’s paying off!
Though I had no tangible point of reference for what NOT living like that looked like, I had what I saw in my head and what I believed in my heart, and I would allow movies and TV to confirm it when they reflected what I saw within – it fueled my determination, my faith, my perseverance; and continues to.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would love to partner collaborate with others! I worked for a credit union once upon a time and we took an assessment that identified our top 5 strengths. Mine were the following 5 things:
-WOO (Win Others Over, even if I may never see you again)
-Relator (meaning my ability to relate to people)
-Developer (Helping others develop/become better)
-Positivity (Naturally, lol)
-Empathy (Similar to “Relator”, but sharing in the feelings of others)
As you can see, my strengths are very interpersonal so partnering/collaborating with others is right up my alley. I want to grow and I love helping people grow so SHOOT, Let’s do it together! Especially if you’re good at branding. I really need someone to hold my hand and show me the ropes, and in return you get the help you didn’t realize you needed in me. WIN-WIN!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/detraywade
- Instagram: @detray.wade
- Facebook: DeTray Wade
Image Credits
Brian Freeman Dana Minor (Mom) Bendoll, Inc. Emerald Queen Casino Malcolm Bowen
