We recently had the chance to connect with Adam Schwartz and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Adam, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I don’t think one outweighs the others. If you lean too hard on any single trait, you lose the balance that makes the others work. They’ve got to move together, each complimenting the next. Integrity gives your intelligence a moral compass. Intelligence gives your integrity direction. And energy gives them both teeth to get shit done. Without it, you’re left with good thoughts and good intentions, but no real impact.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name’s Adam Schwartz. I’m a retired TACP, a photographer, and the founder of the Two Black Ravens Foundation. We work with wounded, injured, and ill service members and veterans, using art as a bridge between trauma and healing.
Our mission isn’t charity; it’s transformation. We place cameras, brushes, clay, and words in the hands of those who’ve carried the weight of combat to remind them that their story still matters. Every photograph, sculpture, and written piece becomes a way to reclaim purpose and identity.
What sets us apart is that we don’t shy away from hard truths, and we don’t reward staying stuck in them. We confront the pain and incentivize healing. We talk openly about moral injury, survivor’s guilt, and the silence that follows service.
Right now, we’re launching new programs that unite veterans, families, and civilians through creative workshops focused on conservation and cultural storytelling. It’s about using art not just to process pain, but to serve again; to rebuild mission, community, and hope.
It’s not glamorous work. But it’s honest. And that’s what this kind of work demands.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I would say that what breaks bonds is usually silence and selfishness. It’s the unspoken grudges, the lies we tell ourselves and each other, the moments we walk away from instead of standing together. It’s rarely a single act.
I would say more often than not, it’s the small, daily choices that erode trust, leaving people feeling alone and unacknowledged, It’s death by a thousand cuts.
What restores them is honesty, accountability, and presence. Showing up even when it’s hard. Telling the truth and admitting when you’re wrong.
Bonds aren’t rebuilt in grand gestures, they’re rebuilt in the quiet, steady, subtle acts of courage, compassion, and empathy that say, “I see you. I’m here with you. You’re not alone.”
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Hahaha, YES! I think every photographer and artist hits that point, sometimes weekly, when the business side isn’t working, trends shift in directions that don’t resonate, or social media makes you question if your work even matters.
But giving up doesn’t erase the struggle; it just leaves it behind, unresolved. And eventually you will come back to it and wonder, “What if?”
What kept me going in the military, and still does today, is purpose! Finding something bigger than myself to fight for, something that can turn struggle into meaning.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The short answer is no. I don’t think any of us show the full version of ourselves all the time especially in public. We adjust; sometimes consciously, sometimes without realizing it. But we adjust based on the people we’re with, the situation we’re in, or the chapter of life we’re living. The public version is curated: it highlights the parts we want to share, the strengths we want seen, and often hides the doubts, the failures, and the quieter truths.
That said, even the curated version still tells a story, it’s still a part of who we are. The challenge, and the work, is making sure the parts we hide aren’t the parts that truly define us. Real growth, real connection, comes when the private and public selves start aligning, and when honesty and vulnerability meet presence and purpose.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think most people misunderstand legacy… not just mine, but theirs as well. Many equate it with a name on a building or a company they built. True legacy is something far quieter and deeper: it’s an investment in the future, often without ever seeing a return. Legacy is investing in people, teaching a young boy how to be a good, loving, and kind father. Legacy is modeling fair, decisive leadership for the next generation of military leaders to emulate when the time is required. Legacy is lifting up your community to make it safer, stronger, and more inclusive. Real legacy is the lives you touch and the values you pass on, long after your name is forgotten.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.twoblackravensfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoblackravensfoundation
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TwoBlackRavensFoundation
Image Credits
Adam Schwartz
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
