We recently connected with Kerry Lee Bowser and have shared our conversation below.
Kerry Lee, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
By accepting my faults and honoring opportunity. From elementary school, beginning in the 5th grade, I was an exceptional athlete and the best in every competition. While teammates and competitors looked up to me and my winning routine, I felt like I represented the entire neighborhood, park, and those individuals cheering my every feat. Unfortunately, by the 6th grade, events were accessible, and accolades were endless. But again, there was the time when my teacher spanked my hand and instructed me to hold my pencil like everyone else and when I wanted to play the violin but was told negro kids couldn’t play string instruments. Still, an innocent boy at heart, marijuana, alcohol, and sex eventually consumed me. Though I remained superior, I began losing advantage in high school, developing academic challenges, and losing my brother and a cousin. Depression and dreams of attending college, thus becoming a professional athlete, were shattered in my last year.
As bleak and unforgettable as these moments may have been, they revived and fortified my confidence years later.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am working on my fourth book. The first is Life Rhythm Poetry 1986 ( currently out of print). My memoir “BUS 3609:” Driving Bad/Living Worse 2022, and the most recent updated version of the first title, “Life Rhythm Storytelling” 2023. Available at Amazon Books. Later this year, my newest children’s book is based on a title in my first and most recent edition and is one of my most beloved works entitled “Tomboyish.” Although not a series, they intertwine life events and one unfathomable on-the-job adventure. When I discovered my voice working as a public school bus driver, unleashing the monster in me also resulted in a triumphant messenger. Outside personal confessions, others are nameless and addressed without exclusivity. From 1985 through 2000, school transportation seemingly operated without any rules. Go back with me when I was working retail, in high school, playing sports, and when everything changed in the 6th grade. There’s plenty of humor, compassion, and unexpected perspective. Plus, what’s a good story and poetry without “Sex, drugs, drama, innocence, crime, suspense, paranormal, and plenty of rhythm and rhyme?” Meet me at the LA Black History Month Festival – on February 18th.
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?
Compete against yourself; I always feel I can do better. Instead of name-dropping articulate, garrulous influencers, Be comfortable, love yourself, and tell those you do – the same. There’s so much successful talent in every age group. Don’t let rejection destroy your ambitions. Society is more discouraging than encouraging. Believe in yourself, research, study top charting works and analogies, and most importantly, “hold fast to your belief!”
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, that would be exciting. After years of literally managing every facet, an alliance would expand my brand and expose my self-taught gifts—publisher, Agent, Music Producer, Author, Poet, Speaker, Actor, Model commercials, etc. I’ve achieved accomplishments with some support, but otherwise, it’s God-gifted and pure faith! To some degree, I’ve overachieved; then again, I’m the underdog… To deny I’m always close to throwing in the towel is erroneous. Rejection’s in my DNA!
Contact Info:
- Website: BOWSERBARKS.NET
- Facebook: Kerry Lee Bowser
- SoundCloud: 2Deep4U – Life Rhythm Poetry
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Eric Thompson – Book Cover Art Voyage LA
