Meet Kareem Hayes

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

Kareem , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from the fire I was born into and the purpose I refuse to let go of.
Nothing in my life came easy — not my childhood, not my fatherhood journey, not my creative grind, not my relationships, not the systems I had to fight. I’ve been knocked down enough times to know what the floor feels like, but I also know how to rise. Every time life tried to break me, I turned the pain into fuel.

I get my resilience from my mission.
I’m not just living for myself — I’m breaking generational patterns for my kids and building something bigger than me. Everything I create — the books, the films, the workshops, the programs, the wellness center vision — it’s all part of a legacy that has to outlive me. Quitting would betray the people I’m meant to help.

Creativity is my survival language.
When life gets heavy, I build. I write, I film, I strategize, I teach. I take whatever I’ve gone through and shape it into stories, characters, or opportunities for other people. I don’t run from my experiences — I flip them.

My resilience is also spiritual.
I’ve had moments, visions, and journeys that showed me I’m here for something sacred. Qigong, symbolism, my connection to dragons and wolves, my time in Japan — all of that sharpened me. I see purpose in the pain. I see lessons in the struggle.

I also get my resilience from the people I love.
My son, my daughter, the youth I mentor, the families I help — they push me to keep going even when I’m tired. Someone out there depends on me staying on my path.

And honestly, I’m resilient because I’ve already survived worse.
I’ve lived through storms that would’ve drowned most people. I’ve been underestimated, blocked, lied on, and displaced — and still I create, still I evolve, still I rise.

My resilience is ancestral.
It’s in my blood.
It’s in my spirit.
It’s in my purpose.

Simply put:
I don’t break. I transform.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a storyteller, educator, and creator who moves between books, film, community work, and spiritual purpose. Everything I do is rooted in transformation — taking real life, real pain, real love, and turning it into something that can heal, inspire, or shift the way people see themselves.

I write novels, children’s books, poetry, and TV/film projects like Necessary Evil, AMRAK, and Typecast. I create worlds, characters, and narratives that feel honest — not watered down, not manufactured — but drawn from lived experience. That’s what I think makes my work special: it’s real, it’s raw, and it carries spirit. People tell me they can feel my heart, my past, and my intentions on every page or frame.

Outside of the creative work, I run workshops for youth, families, and communities. Media literacy, filmmaking, art therapy, mentorship — I love helping young people discover their voice and create something that belongs to them. To me, art isn’t separate from healing or leadership; it’s all connected. Creativity is a tool. Storytelling is medicine.

What’s most exciting right now is that all the different parts of my life — the books, the films, the wellness vision, the workshops, my son’s journey, my spiritual growth — are finally starting to align. I’m launching new projects, expanding my brand, and stepping fully into my purpose.

Here’s what’s new and upcoming:
• Necessary Evil (Feature Film): I’ve completed the short film and I’m building a donation-tier platform on my website so people can support the full feature. Different tiers come with perks like the audiobook, merch, NFTs, and more. The goal is to raise $250K and shoot the film independently.
• King’s Magical Life Series: I’m expanding the children’s book line, including my new title Hygiene in King’s Magical Life. I’m also running workshops in schools and libraries, using the book to create conversations about autism, holistic parenting, and empathy.
• AMRAK (TV Series): I’ve developed deep character bios, the world, and the spiritual themes behind the project. It’s a show about loyalty, trauma, cycles, and redemption — and we’re preparing to pitch it to networks.
• Eco-Wellness Center Vision: I’m building a plan to acquire land in the South and create a sustainable wellness community focused on food, healing, plant-based living, and nature as therapy.
• King Kelani’s YouTube Journey: My son is launching his channel to share his growth, his interests, and his autistic brilliance with the world.

Everything I create — whether it’s a commercial, a curriculum, a book, a film, or a community project — is connected by one belief: we all have the power to rewrite our story.
That’s my brand. That’s my art. That’s my purpose.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, the three qualities that shaped my success the most were resilience, creativity, and service.

1. Resilience

My life didn’t come with a safety net. I’ve been through storms—with parenting, homelessness, the court system, career transitions, and starting over more than once. My resilience came from knowing I had to break generational cycles, not repeat them. That same resilience became the backbone of my books, my films, and every new chapter of my life.
Advice: Start by handling small challenges with intention. Once you build the habit of pushing through, the bigger challenges won’t feel impossible.

2. Creativity

My creativity is my superpower. It’s how I survived, how I healed, and how I built my brand. I take what I’ve lived and turn it into stories, film concepts, workshops, and opportunities for others. Creativity is a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Advice: Don’t wait until your art is “perfect.” Create consistently. Release your work in stages. Let your voice develop through doing.

3. Service & Community Impact

The biggest transformations in my life came from helping other people—teaching, mentoring, hosting workshops, supporting youth, or collaborating with artists and communities. When you serve others, you create purpose bigger than your problems.
Advice: Find one group you care about—youth, parents, artists, whoever—and give them value. It builds your confidence, your network, and your reputation.

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In summary

My journey wasn’t built on luck. It was built on the fire that shaped me, the stories I needed to tell, and the responsibility I feel to my children and my community. If you’re just starting out, bet on your voice, build your resilience, and don’t be afraid to serve. The world will open up for you.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely. Collaboration is the foundation of everything I build.

I’m especially looking to partner with:

• Filmmakers, cinematographers, editors, and post-production teams
for Necessary Evil and AMRAK.

• Educators, school administrators, youth programs, and libraries
who want workshops in media literacy, autism awareness, storytelling, art therapy, and entrepreneurship.

• Investors and philanthropic partners
interested in supporting Black creators, children’s literacy, autism programming, or indie filmmaking.

• Artists, musicians, illustrators, photographers, and designers
to expand my book worlds, merchandise lines, and visual storytelling.

• Community organizations and wellness practitioners
who want to help build the eco-wellness center and food-freedom initiative.

• Tech partners and blockchain/NFT collaborators
for digital collectibles tied to my books and film IPs.

If you’re reading this and something in my work aligns with your mission, I’m open to building.
The best way to connect with me is through:

📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.inftheauthor.com
🎥 Film Site: www.NecessaryEvilFilm.com
📱 Instagram: @infTheAuthor

I’m always open to meaningful collaborations rooted in purpose, art, and impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www. Inftheauthor.com
• Instagram: @inftheauthor

Image Credits

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