We were lucky to catch up with Randy Bonds recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Randy , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience flows from my mom, Keena Renee Bonds—who much like her father, James C. Bonds (my namesake), is a true warrior unafraid to confront injustice and call for peace amid chaos. Her relentless pursuit of her beliefs has planted a fighting spirit in me.
Life has taught me that the road ahead shines brighter than the one behind. With each challenge, I’ve learned to trust the process, embrace growth, and become more resilient. Regardless of life’s storms, I stand firm on my foundation.
The key is settling into my authentic self. It’s the liberating truth that being genuine is more powerful than adapting to every room. I’ve learned that being settled in who I am is way more liberating than trying to be a chameleon that dresses up and adapts to every room I enter instead of authentically taking up space as my genuine self and organically aligning with what’s tailor-made for me. True resilience comes in knowing that everything and everyone won’t be for you, which isn’t a dig at your worth, but the acknowledgment of diverse tastes.
Life often requires us to cocoon ourselves, patiently awaiting transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. The key word is cocoon ourselves. We all are responsible for building our own cocoons, and going through our own journey of transformation from one form to the next. The settled cocoon becomes the launching pad for soaring to greater heights. True resilience lies in realizing that everything needed for the journey is already within.
Seeing my mom navigate life as a single parent raising three kids in the suburbs, ensuring we never missed a meal while sending me to private school, instilled in me the belief that there’s nothing too hard for me. And when I do get discouraged, and fear that something is too hard, she’s my biggest cheerleader, combating my fears with affirmations in my favor, fueling my resilience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
At heart, I am a Publicist, renowned for spotlighting the underexposed and amplifying diverse voices. My passion for uplifting others stemmed from my own experience of feeling silenced and inadequate. Now, I’m transitioning into a selfish season, prioritizing my needs, goals, and desires.
In this new chapter, I’m delving into various projects—books, podcasts, and original content as a writer and producer. Following Issa Rae’s advice, I’m networking across, and aligning with like-minded individuals for creative collaborations. As a publicist-turned-podcaster, I aim to humanize influential figures, sharing stories that resonate deeply and inspire. Looking forward to launching the Mask Off Podcast, providing a safe space for Black Men to practice vulnerability and transparency, as well as The Be Greater Than (Be>) Podcast, helping people surpass their self-perceived limitations.
The end of 2023 marked the beginning of a journey where I nurture my own garden, putting on my mask first. I eagerly anticipate the realization of my wildest dreams through intentional self-love and healthy selfishness. Producing experiential events that celebrate black excellence, providing platforms for diverse voices, and fostering genuine community among underrepresented creatives are on the agenda.
I’m embracing the storyteller in me, focusing on diverse writing—from personal narratives to creative scripts. Public speaking engagements are in my sights too. The goal is to empower others through the lessons I’ve gathered from life’s challenges, helping them navigate their own paths. It’s an exciting shift, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Faith, Confidence, and Manifestation: My unwavering belief that things work for my good, coupled with confidence and manifestation, has been a driving force. While some may see it as magic, it’s rooted in the conviction that, one way or another, things will align in my favor. This mindset has consistently yielded positive outcomes.
Network: A robust network has been invaluable. Social currency, in many cases, opens doors to monetary currency. Thriving as a publicist and brand strategist, creating genuine community, navigating unfamiliar territories, and accessing unexpected opportunities—all of this became possible through a solid network. I firmly believe in the adage that closed mouths don’t get fed, and I’m not hesitant to vocalize my needs.
Boldness: Humility has its place, but being bold is often the key to success. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, and confidence is essential in convincing others to invest in you. Authenticity shines through boldness, and learning to express my desires confidently has propelled me forward faster than feigned indecisiveness born out of fear. Boldness is a currency in itself, and it pays—both literally and figuratively. Being authentic and bold positions you as the solution someone is willing to pay for.
Advice:
For those early in their journey:
Cultivate Faith and Confidence: Develop an unshakeable belief in the positive outcome of your endeavors. Confidence and gratitude attract elevation, and faith provides the resilience needed to weather challenges. Manifest your goals with certainty.
Build a Strong Network: Prioritize relationship-building. Networking is a two-way street; be open to giving and receiving. Vocalize your aspirations, as you never know who in your network might hold the key to your next opportunity.
Embrace Boldness: Don’t shy away from expressing your desires boldly. Authenticity is magnetic, and boldness invites reciprocal boldness. People are more likely to invest in you when they see your unwavering confidence in what you bring to the table.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The book that has profoundly influenced my development is “Love, Freedom, Aloneness: The Koan of Relationships” by Osho. In this work, Osho, a renowned spiritual thinker, delves into the intricate connections between individuals in the context of love, freedom, and solitude.
One of the pivotal insights the book offers is that in today’s world, freedom is intrinsic to our existence. Until we learn to embrace and live with this freedom, being comfortable in our own company, we deny ourselves the potential for discovering love and happiness in the company of others.
The book challenges conventional notions, asking essential questions: Is it possible to be alone and not lonely? What defines the boundaries between “lust” and “love”? Can lust evolve into love? Through these inquiries, Osho guides readers toward unique, radical, and intelligent perspectives.
For me, the book became a catalyst for redefining the concepts of “selfishness” and “self-love” from a healthy and practical standpoint. It prompted a significant shift in my views on organized religion, unraveling correlations between politics and priests in ways I had never considered. It was a life-changing and eye-opening experience, offering profound insights into love, aloneness, and freedom—universal themes we can all relate to.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone on a quest to understand the intricacies of love and freedom. It stands as one of the most profound and impactful tools I’ve gained in my arsenal this past year, offering invaluable wisdom that can significantly benefit anyone’s journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RandyCBonds.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/randycbonds @RandyCBonds
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/randycbonds
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-bonds-2555352a3/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/themessengerschicago
Image Credits
Willy Joseph-Louis
