Meet Justin Marlowe

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Marlowe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Justin, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

This is an amazing question, and one which directly relates to some of the content within my memoir, “Perfect Strangers: Echoes of a Black Suburban Youth.”

As an African American who grew up in mostly white environments, being the only one in the room that “looks like me” has become commonplace. Over the years, it’s been something I’ve gotten used to and honestly become immune to, in terms of letting it exist as a detriment to my existence. I guess you could say that I’ve turned that little piece of adversity into one of my “super powers.” I do my best to let my personality and knowledge base shine, which oftentimes breaks down barriers. It isn’t full proof, but I’ve always felt that leading with my persona supercedes the general optics of typical scenarios.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an author/poet who currently lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia. After spending roughly sixteen years in the field of Education, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my creative talents as a writer. I’ve always been adept within artistic mediums and wanted to enter the literary world with memoir showcasing aspects of my personal story. Roughly eight months after embarking on a new journey, my memoir, “Perfect Strangers: Echoes of a Black Suburban Youth,” was published in August of 2024 by The Empowered Press. Since, I’ve had twelve poems land in reputable literary publications; one within the World Poetry Collective’s, “Poets of a New Generation” compilation, two within the BIPOC centered Literary magazine, “Alma Lit,” two with the UK’s, “The Lost Letter Project,” another with GlassGates Publishing, three with, “Summur Magazine,” one with,”VelliChor Literary,” one with France’s, “Literary Revelations,” and finally one with QuillKeepers Press. At the moment, I’m wrapping up my second book, a black futurism project entitled, “The Overlord,” which I will be shopping to agents and publishers within the next month or so. As I continue building a brand within the literary field, making my mark on reputable podcasts and forming fruitful branding opportunities coincides with my goals as a budding creative.

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

Looking back, three qualities which have been most impactful during my journey are intrinsic belief, being hyper focused, and the willingness to learn.

My advice for those who are early in their journey would be to free your mind and allow yourself to embrace your craft and your goals. Also, I’d say that it’s very beneficial to listen to the advice from others and to allow yourself to become immersed within your personal visions.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

There are so many times when I feel overwhelmed. Oftentimes, I just want to exist when I know that I need to produce some type of content. Knowing that it’s necessary to move forward when I just want to sit within a state of complacency can be tough. When I feel like this, I will spend an evening engaging in something that I find fruitful. This usually consists of a, “comfort film,” some stand up comedy, listening to music, or watching some of my favorite podcasts. For me, it’s really about finding a place of stability so I can move forward with whatever I’m working on. Even having a solid workout can aid in my creativity. The concept for my upcoming novel came during a workout. The release of endorphins can mean so much to a creative. But once I break through these types of barriers, my motivation escalates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/jmarlowewrites/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmarlowewrites/

Image Credits

Mary Kenyon
Shelby Bartolucci