Meet Dr. Dewayne Washington

We recently connected with Dr. Dewayne Washington and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Dewayne, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Confidence and self esteem Three internal statements guide me.
I am enough
I am the only one in the race
My ideas are valid

Early in my professional career I was often plagued with the idea that I wasn’t enough, my ideas didn’t matter, and that I had to compete with others and didn’t quite measure up. Even when my credentials outshined everyone else’s this still seemed to be the case, I seemed to be, but understand I was blatantly told this to my face on many occasions, sometimes even my race was sighted directly. I literally have handed millions of dollars to less capable people because I thought my “ice wasn’t cold enough” However, through years of watching my ideas be implemented either by me or others, success after success, and realizing, I don’t need to compete with anyone other than myself, something happened. Confidence increased, self esteem went through the roof. Just through the understanding that God made me enough, the ideas he placed in me are phenomenal and he expects a return and there is no need to compare myself to someone who is running a different race. How do you compare a shark, a cheetah, and an eagle? Would we say the eagle isn’t valid because he doesn’t run as fast as the cheetah? Or the cheetah is inadequate because she can’t swim as swiftly as the shark? Or that the shark is useless because of it’s inability to fly as an eagle? No, we don’t compare, and we should look at our own lives the same.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Although many know me as a musician, because the stage is where they see may, I also serve as the senior pastor of the Love Church and the executive director and founder of the gentlemen’s society, an organization that teaches young boys how to become gentlemen world wide (13 countries have implemented the program)

I also am the co-creator of the board game Ebonyopoly, which teaches black history in a fun and entertaining way, see Ebonyopoly.com for more info
I’m also an award winning cinematographer and own facetime studios, a video production company that makes feature films, documentaries, streaming and other types of media.

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?
Ability to learn from almost anyone, even if it’s what not to do. (always see knowledge, wisdom and understanding) Ability to talk to anyone (everyone is a genius at something, and everyone has a story)
Positive attitude no matter what (don’t just go around burning bridges, you might need to travel back that way one day)

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Hands down, the bible is the most influential book I have ever read and continue to read. I have spent 10s of thousands of dollars in books and reading material, and none has been so complete and informative as the Bible. The biggest nuggets have probably come from Romans 8:28. All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Imani Washington

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