Meet Marquette Shaw

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marquette Shaw a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marquette, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Finding a purpose for Savannah’s Got Food came from seeing the need to tell the story of Savannah. When I arrived here I seen a community buzzing with culture. At first glance it was filled with tourists, restaurants, shops, and a beautiful waterfront. Then I found out some of the deepest secrets like being the largest slave port, having at least 300 voyages bringing over 23,000 blacks to Savannah and being the first planned city in America, I knew there was more to learn. I wanted to start with the food. This state is filled with the Gullah people, one of the subgroups of America’s Blacks, that were brought here during slavery. Living in the Low Country meant living off the land and fishing from the waters that surrounded it. The freshest of the freshest ingredients. My objective was to find those special places and tell the stories. I’m still on a journey of uncovering those stories. I’ve started with the local restaurants that filled the downtown area to see what is authentic and seeking the ones that are authentic to this communities culture.

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 am known to everyone as Marketing Marquette. I find joy in supporting our community in so many ways. I have several blogs such as @Savannahsgotfood, @ThatsJustItSavannah, @VibeLocally and @TheSavannahDanceMarket. I am also working on a project called A Soul Burst Experience where I work alongside Comia Flynn @TheRealComiaFlynn as the Photographer, where we empower women to remember their super powers. I also am working with Rosa Phelps @RosaPhelps, The Bridge to the Community, to bring everyone together through Marketing and Consulting with a NEW brand called Confia La Visión @ConfiaLaVision. Through these projects I’m excited to highlight our talented artists and Entrepreneurs in our community and help bring more awareness to their gifts and what they have done and are doing in our community. I’ve been performing since I was nine years old. So singing, dancing, and acting have always been a part of my life. I’m known as Soul Son @SoulSon21 or “The Son Of Soul.” I am working on my Debut Album entitled “Journey To Soul.” This album is telling the story of my journey finding myself in the music industry. In 2010 a Five Series painting was done on me by a Delaware Artist by the name of Catherine Mercedes Walls. After performing for a showcase that was put together by my soul brother Michael Duker. I thank him for giving me a chance to showcase my talents alongside my supporting backgrounds Keli Burwell, Rijohn Bell, and Donte Alexander. This performance created a spark that would drive me to never stop working on my craft. No matter what! I continued to work on my music and perform for the next ten years, yet it was kinda put on the back burner due to me working in the Entertainment Industry as a photographer and VP of an entertainment company, which became my main focus. I left the company and continued my journey. After COVID I knew I had to put my focus back in my music. My spiritual guides told me “take your time, you owe it to your craft.” For that I couldn’t thank them enough. It reminded me that the hard work I’m putting in will create music that will last lifetimes. With that being said the first three releases can be found on all platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Youtube and more. My first Release was entitled “All I See,” which speaks about the aftermath of COVID and what was put in our faces everyday. Baltimore’s own Kelle Avant was the first DJ to play this song on the radio. Thank you so much! It’s hard to see so much despair in our community. Yet, I know when we come together we have the ability to lift each other up. When I arrived in Savannah, I began doing background acting for movies and TV. One of the first projects I worked on was just released on July 26, 2024. The movie is entitled “The Fabulous Four,” Directed by the amazing Jocelyn Moorehouse. Thank you so much Jocelyn for everything! This movie features Bette Midler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Megan Mullally and Susan Sarandon. It was such a pleasure to work alongside these iconic women. And of Course I can’t forget the amazing Alexis Leggett of Alexis Leggett Casting. Thank you for all you do! Now that it’s released I’m looking forward to the 2024-25 releases of the other projects I’m apart of. I’m thankful for all of the creators’ blessings.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities that I would say helped me on my journey would be; always being a student and a teacher, remembering to lift people up when you’re able to reach back, and knowing you’re the only one that controls your journey. The journey stops when you do. If I had any advice for any artists and entrepreneurs it would be “Never give up on you.” You have the power to do anything you put your mind to. No one can control that except you. So even in the darkest moments shine your light as bright as you can and you will find a way out. Clear your mind of the all things that do you no good and focus.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My spiritual guides have been my biggest help on this journey. My mother whom is my rock and my biggest supporter. Without her I would not have the drive to push through every obstacle. Watching her work multiple jobs was a reminder that only you can hold you back. She did this while taking care of three children as a single mother. She also created a support system of family and family/friends that were there to help mold us. I am truly thankful for them all. Then there is My Cola. I can say this about my amazing friend/spiritual guide. She helped me realize that the creator places people in our lives to keep us on the path set for us. Without them focus can sometime be hard and with them we gain the knowledge and strength to push through anything that is in our way. You don’t know how much you both mean to me and Mom I’m grateful to be your child and Cola I’m grateful you’re a part of my life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Feature Photo: Taken by Alexis Battison
1. 5 Series Painting – Done by Catherine Mercedes Walls
2. Jokpa O. – Model & Actor – Taken by Marquette Shaw
3. Iman Atiba – Entrepreneur & Brand Ambassador for Savannah Sauce Company- Taken by Marquette Shaw
4. Julie Brannen – Local Doll Maker & Entrepreneur – Taken by Marquette Shaw
5. Baby Love Simpkins – Dancer, Model & Actor – Taken by Marquette Shaw
6. Marquette Shaw Performing with Jacob Sandwich & Eric Bailey at Mint to Be Mojito Bar – Taken by Tinara Thomlinson
7. Baby L. Simpkins & Rashad Ahmad on set of Julia Jarman’s Remake of “Me and Your Momma” by Childish Gambino Music Video (Unofficial) – Taken by Marquette Shaw
8. Shrimp Taco & Fish Taco at Órale Tacos & Tequila – Taken by Marquette Shaw

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