Meet CHATIERA RAY

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful CHATIERA RAY a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

CHATIERA, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Our purpose journey began with years of trial and error, leading us to uncover what truly drives us. Initially, we explored various artistic avenues such as visual arts, photography, music, and dance. However, it became evident that our true passion lay in dance. Despite our aspirations to be diverse, we found our strongest connection with our audience through dance.

Recognizing a gap in Long Beach for Black and Brown dancers like ourselves, we took action to fill that void. Our efforts included offering professional dance classes to dancers of all levels, staging shows to showcase talent, and organizing community events like The Long Beach Black Dance Festival. These initiatives aimed to provide opportunities and resources that were lacking in our community, especially for those facing financial barriers.

Growing up in underserved communities, we understood firsthand the challenges of accessing quality arts education. While community programs provided a start, we recognized the need for more comprehensive training to pursue our dreams. This awareness fueled our commitment to offering high-quality dance opportunities to aspiring artists and young adults, empowering them to pursue their professional aspirations.

For us, our purpose has always been about filling those gaps and empowering others to reach their full potential. By fostering a culture of humanity, grace, and community, we not only strengthen our organization but also positively impact the lives of those we serve.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Chatiera “Cookie” Ray, originally from Cleveland, embarked on a transformative journey to Long Beach, California in 2013, driven by her passion for dance and youth development. Her dance odyssey commenced at the age of 11, evolving into professional training by age 12. While pursuing a major in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Dance Performance at Kent State University, Chatiera honed her choreographic skills, earning accolades such as the “Dance Choreographers Peer Award” and showcasing her work at the esteemed American College Dance Festival.

Her thirst for artistic growth led her to train with the Garth Fagan Dance Company and perform in “Why I Had to Dance,” a powerful choreo-poem by Ntozake Shange and Dianne McIntyre. Post-graduation, she delved into various dance productions and teaching roles in Cleveland and beyond.

In 2013, Chatiera embarked on a new chapter, joining the AmeriCorps Vista program in Workforce Development before securing an internship with the renowned Lula Washington Dance Theater. Here, she immersed herself in training, teaching, and event coordination, laying the foundation for her future endeavors.

In 2015, driven by a desire for broader impact, she co-founded the CRayProject, igniting her creative vision. Since then, Chatiera has collaborated with esteemed performing arts organizations nationwide, including LA Unbound, RAW Artists, and MOD ARTS (New York), enriching communities through her innovative programs.

Among her notable creations is “PINS” Urban Burlesque Experience, a groundbreaking production promoting body positivity and inclusivity. Inspired by her own experiences with body shaming, Chatiera champions the empowerment of performers of all shapes and sizes.

Continuing to dance and create with unwavering dedication, Chatiera uplifts communities and shares her artistic voice with the world, embodying her commitment to fostering positive change through the arts.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

In my journey, three pillars stand out as profoundly impactful:

1. Grace: Embracing gentleness towards myself has been crucial. Recognizing that my pace may not align with everyone else’s and understanding that creativity ebbs and flows. Embracing moments of “calm” allows fresh ideas to blossom and provides necessary respite for the creative mind.

2. Confidence: Confidence is the cornerstone of purpose. Not everyone will grasp your vision, and that’s okay. Remaining steadfast and confident in your path ensures that what is meant for you will come to fruition.

3. Unapologetic: Fearlessness is essential. Refusing to dilute your work to appease those who may not appreciate or understand it is liberating. Those who resonate with your art will find it, while others may come to understand in due time.

For emerging, exploration is paramount. Don’t be afraid to fail. Embrace it as invaluable feedback, for it often leads to profound lessons and the cultivation of remarkable artistry. With time and experience, perspectives shift and evolve. Change is always constant, and can always be an opportunity to be creative.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

There are two books that have played an important role in my development which are:

All about love-by Bell Hooks
The subtle art of not giving a f*ck-by Mark Manson

Some nuggets of wisdom that I took from both of these include:

-Separating what you “feel” from what “is”
-Death will confront all of us, so what is your legacy?
-We shouldn’t seek to find the ultimate “right”, we should seek to chip away at the ways we’re wrong today so that we can be a little less wrong tomorrow.

-The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck-

-Learning how to face our fears is one way we can embrace love
-We do not need to have endless anxiety and worry about whether we will fulfill our goals and plans, plans are transitory
-By learning to love, we learn to accept change

-All About Love-

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crayproject.org
• Instagram: crayproject
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crayproject
• Twitter: crayproject

Image Credits

D0lly Nophaenkham
Crystal Edwards
Luis Edson