An Inspired Chat with Dwayne Parker of New York

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dwayne Parker. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Dwayne, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I am being called to remind people to repent and seek the kingdom of God first and to acknowledge him in all ways. He is the one that blessed me with whatever talent, opportunity and success I have had or will have in this life. Even right now, this interview is a blessing because it allows me to have an opportunity to speak on how good Jesus has been in my life and how he has changed me for the better through repentance. I encourage everyone to do a self assessment of themselves and their relationship with Jesus. Everything I speak about today I direct to myself first. As you know better you do better. Never allow the devil to use people to hold you to your past self. Jesus tells us this in John 8 verse 11 with the woman who committed adultery. It says “Neither do I condemn thee: Go, and sin no more.” We have the victory in Jesus and even if you are in a bad space today, I’m here to tell you that you can change right now and never return to your former self in Jesus name. I gave too much of my time and dedication to the things of this world and he was merciful enough to open my eyes and give me an opportunity to see my faults and repent from them. I intend to do what is needed with his help to live a righteous life. Heaven is my goal.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Who is Dwayne Parker? I am a child of the most high, created a little lower than the angels. I’m a servant to God and friend to man. I am a professional, I have a degrees in broadcast journalism and counseling. I am a soldier, I served in the Army reserve. I am an independent filmmaker and actor. I have experience working at places like NBC and Oxygen network and also music companies like the late A&M records, Mercury and Polygram music. I currently am the founder of a Knight 7 Productions which I founded in 2003 doing weddings, fashion shows live performances and music videos. My creativity a work has evolved into two films and a talk show that I am proud of. VEX, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime is about a detective who lost everything that he loves. A product of the school to prison pipeline seeking redemption from his past. Two men from different sides of the law set out to take revenge on a common enemy when they unknowingly run into each other and realize that they also have a history. This film is dear to my heart as I wrote, directed, edited, produced and starred in it with Marc Schottner. I then worked with a great talent Kathleen Liautaud, who also acted in VEX, in creating, executive producing and directing a talk show called, The Kaye Liautaud Show. This is a new take on talk shows and currently streaming on Youtube. We interviewed some amazing guests ranging from local to well known celebrities! Check it out! Then there is the short film, Scorpions which takes place in the world of VEX. Scorpions is the story of two conflicted strangers attracted to each other one night by fate. They find themselves embraced in a struggle with the sins of their past and the relentless temptation to repeat them again.
Scorpions was written by the great James Alan Ross, who is known for his novels and Lifetime movies. I executive produced, edited, directed and acted in this film. It stars International Karate Martial Artist, Grant Campbell and International Model and Actress Laura Petersen. It is currently on a festival run and currently will be screening Wednesday, December 10th at 8:40pm in NYC at the Village East Cinema by Angelika. This was a great collaboration with a great team of people that helped me to put this together. I’m really proud of the outcome. The film also features “Hello & Goodbye,” a new original song by Tim Avram of Shred City and “Turn Up” by Piglet on the Trizzack! After this festival run I will see if God grants me the ability to finish VEX Reloaded. I am currently revising the script as my vision has changed on due to the inclusion of Daniel from Scorpions. I think what makes my work unique is that I don’t compromise on the moral message that I want to convey. VEX is about forgiveness, The Kaye Liautaud Show is about giving back, Scorpions is about repentance. I think my work is motivated by a desire to help people become better versions of themselves.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is my relationship with my savior and creator Jesus Christ. There was a time where I thought it was all about me. We all do we are all born selfish, and must learn to be the opposite. Obedience is a serious thing to develop and have. Our parents require it and so does our Heavenly Father. We can’t give it partially, or delayed we have to give it completely. The God of Noah, Moses, David and Joseph demands it. Developing a closer relationship with God allowed me to see my selfish mindset. Through repentance I removed my pride and learned how to distance myself from what I thought I should prioritize and started to prioritize him. Jesus says in John 14 verse 15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Not the commandments we like, or the ones that are convenient to us, or the ones that are cool to follow. All of them. Many of us don’t even know where to find them in the Bible and then are still deceived when we read them. God has been consistent and the Bible, God’s word, never contradicts itself no matter what man tries to tell you. That is why you must read it for yourself. Obedience to God’s commands is a life changing. As a follower of Christ, I have learned to be more obedient to him. I need to show him I love him, cause he died on the cross for me.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that I must be obedient to God and his will is paramount. There is nothing that you or I can do without him. His mercy and his goodness are the only reason that we exist. We have become so distracted by politics, technology, entertainment, relationships, money, that we forget and disrespect God daily. Idols consume us. We make everything more important than him and he is a jealous God so that dangerous, ask the Israelites. So in his great wisdom he allows for us at times to see how life is without his blessings. It may come in the form of sickness, financial troubles, even death. In Job 5 verse 17 it says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: there fore despise not the chastening of the Almighty.” Also in Proverbs 3 verse 12 it says, “for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even a s a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Understanding that even in these moments he is merciful because we still have our life. Job in the Bible is a perfect example of what suffering can teach us. In this example, Job lost everything that we would deem important here on earth. His suffering tested his faith and his loyalty. Although he was favored by God, it teaches us that God doesn’t have favorites. It rains on the just and unjust. I encourage everyone to read this piece of history as it reminds us how insignificant we are in general. It teaches us how to act in times of suffering and how faith and loyalty benefit you in the end.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is authentic. As you can see in my interview I’m pretty consistent in where I stand with things now. My job requires me to be in front of teenagers daily in an intimate fashion so it’s very hard to put on a front. They would definitely call me out, especially here in Southside Jamaica, Queens NY. I try to keep in mind that because I am in a position of influence, I have a responsibility to set an example with how I present myself. Respect is a big thing for me. I do my best to have manners and to present myself in a way that would be pleasing to God. I try to be an example and not a hindrance in others lives. As a human I’m flawed but I have been blessed with the knowledge that when I know better I am to do better. There are many people that will hold you to your past and remind you of your failures in life. However, thanks be to God, I know that once you repent and confess your sins to Jesus he forgives you, (read Psalms 51 if you want to learn how to repent.) he makes you new and you can forgive yourself. This part is very important as you can’t be new if you hold on to your former self. So I am always authentic. It takes too much time and effort to be anything other. If I offend someone or fall short I am humble enough to apologize and correct myself although I will always stand for what I believe in even if it’s not the public opinion. Prove me wrong with facts or not at all. I am always open to doing a self analysis of myself with the help of discernment.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
At this point in my life, the story that I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is a story of one man that made a difference. A man who learned from his mistakes in life and made his relationship with Jesus Christ his creator and king priority over all other relationships. The story would revolve around how although I served him surrounded by enemies and obstacles in life but I overcame it all with his help and through it all became pleasing in his sight. Fighting valiantly in this spiritual war telling and teaching others of his love, grace and mercy and how salvation is a free gift if you only believe in Jesus Christ. Treating others as he would want me to. Obeying him and his commandments because it is the only way to show him that I love him. ( John14:15) The book of Dwayne would end with Jesus telling me, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.knight7.com
• Instagram: @whoisdwayneparker
• Youtube: Knight7productions
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Knight7Productions

Image Credits
Dwayne Parker/Knight 7 Productions/Cliff Toy