We were lucky to catch up with Donvinnie Boykin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Donvinnie , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I find myself through music. I learned that very early own in life, as I was in band in Jr High school , High school, and my first two years of college where I played the baritone, trombone, and the a trumpet. Music has been known to have the power to touch our souls, lift our spirits, and heal. I’m a firm believer in this. Music provides a comfort inside me like none other. It is a tool that I use when I am writing, it gets my creativity flowing. As a lover of words, and an empath. Listening to music empowers me, as well as inspires me to write. In whatever mood I’m in, whether I’m happy or sad. I tend to go to songs that draws that same energy out of me. It’s indescribable. It fuels me. There’s also an admiration in artists and entertainers that I look up to due to their work ethic. Beyonce is one of them. It’s her passion, drive and work ethic. It fuels me to keep pushing. I had the chance to recently see her recently in concert at her Renaissance World Tour in Atlanta. It showed me the absolute perfection of a true artist and talent. Just her over all level of work ethic, pushes me to be the best I can be in life. I also find my purpose through conversation with people. People fuel me to be a better person, just having a conversation with someone, listening to their story it allows me to connect with them In way that humbles me to see that we are all human, we go through things. It’s interesting to see how we all cope with life, and the day to day challenges we all go through. The human brain is so fascinating to me. I believe my purpose in life is to simply to heal others through my journey in life along with my voice and the power of my words.
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?
Well I am an Author, first. I released my first book R.E.V.E.A.L. “THE YEAR WITHOUT MY DAD” January 5th, 2021. My first book was more like an anthology that covered a number of emotional moments and issues that I faced following the death of my father in 2018. These issues have shaped me to become the empowered man I am today. “As an African American male, we are often told to hide our emotions and refrain form expressing them even when something or someone hurts us. We have been taught that Black Men don’t cry . We have to play the part of a tough non emotional black men. The words I’m good and I’ll be alright seems to be familiar. As men we have had male figures tell us that when we express ourselves we are considered vulnerable, or weak. Throughout my book I talk about various challenges in the African American community of being a Black Man in society today. I also open up about my darkest moments in my life following the death of my father.“ Putting yourself out there in these times can be both a blessing and a curse. It has taken me years to be comfortable to talk about my feelings, during this process it allowed me to heal. “I was once told God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I have learned to be strong, but not for myself, but for a greater purpose. That purpose is for others, because someone out there really needs to hear this. I am a strong Black Man, who has triumphed over adversity and created his own path in life. My first book was a labor of love. It challenged me, to see myself in a different way, and pushed the envelope to say that I am more than human. I’m here, to not only share my truth and my story, but be a light in someones life. It also showed me how to be an encouragement to someone, and show them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Everyones process & journey in life is different. Knowing this now, you don’t have to second guess your thoughts or actions. This is my personal journey, and I needed to express myself in a way that I needed to heal.”
Now fast forward to 2 years later. I have finished my second book, titled “Tainted Ego”, and is set to launch later this year. For this next project, I made sure that I took my time. Focusing on my aesthetic & technic. After the success of my first book, and being now known, as an author I had to bring my readers something else. This next project I have to say it’s all about growth, and embracing the beauty along with the imperfections. It’s literally been 3 years of writing. 3 long years lol. With this project I want readers to see me as an artist. It’s so hard for me, not to give details. If I had to describe, this project, it would be timeless.( my best body of work). I drew inspiration from other authors such as James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Maya Angelou, E Lynn Harris & Alex Haley. All iconic authors, with a passion for words, and motivation. The driving force behind the why in my creativity.
I challenged myself to be open, honest, real, and intentional. Leaving room for the reader to have conversations in their mind about themselves, with the intentions that they can see themselves in me. That they can learn from me. That they can heal. I want the audience to connect with me on this journey of life.
My next body of work I wanted to push myself even further as an artist, and learn from my mistakes. I have been told no so many times. Doors have been slammed in my face, wondering why I could never get a set at the table. So I made a conscious decision that I was going to have to go out and get my own wood, and build my own table. That meant pushing myself to take full control of my project. That meant ownership, maximizing my royalties, self publishing myself, and owning my art. In 2005 I launched a fashion production company specializing in fashion show production. I have since then expanded my brand, to produce and publish my book through my own company, with the hopes to help others. Encore Entertainment Groups main focus will help aspiring artist create projects in the world of art & creativity. We will focus on helping artist start their own projects, such as branding, marketing, being a main resource for anyone that wants to publish a book. We will also help with personal branding, along with helping with visual concepts such as photography & videography. I have gathered a team within Encore, a group of underdogs. People that were overlooked, and waiting to be seem. People that were told no, or that they weren’t talented enough. I have invited them, to have a seat at my table. A place to be free and in control of their passion and creativity.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three most important qualities that has impacted me on my journey are Passion, Humility, Understanding.
With passion you have to have the feel, and the heart behind whatever you’re doing in order to be successful. If you don’t have the
drive or the passion then it will show in your work.
Humility, you have to set your pride aside. If you want to be great you have to humble yourself. Yes there will be some wins in life, but there will also be times when you do lose. You have to be able to pick yourself up again when you feel like you have lost. Humility is my driving force behind everything I do. I am so grateful for all that I do. I’ve learned that once you take I out of the equation, you have to humble yourself to others and be a light.
Understanding, you have to have understanding in life, and lead with instinct and your gut. Most importantly you have to trust the process, and better yet know the process. Delayed doesn’t not mean denied you have to understand what it is that your trying to do, and make sure that you are doing what you love.
When it comes to skills I feel that Communication, Listening, Creativity are my most important
With communication, as a creative or entrepreneur you have to be able to effectively communicate with others, as well as your team. It is imperative that you communicate what it is that you desire.
Listening has gotten me a long way by just hearing people, it helps me know what people want, as well as what they need
Creativity. I believe it’s something that you’re born with. Being creative has allowed me to be an individual, and has set me apart from others in my brand. Dare to be different, is how I like to put it. Be unique and authentic.
I like to think that my areas of knowledge change pretty often I like to push myself, and I am always open to learning new things. I admire that most about myself.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My biggest area of growth has been trusting myself as a writer, and leaning more in to people seeing me as a person. I have not always felt confident in my writing. In the past 12 months I have gotten more comfortable and confident in my writing , I’ve pored out more of me in it. Allowing myself to be real, and raw. I have improved the most on, my word play and writing aesthetic. In which I am very proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.donvinnieboykin.com
- Instagram: @donvinnieboykin
- Facebook: Donvinnie Boykin
- Linkedin: Donvinnie Boykin
- Twitter: iamdonvinnie
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/iamdonvinnie
Image Credits
DeAndre Lemans @slingshots.atl
