We recently connected with Rashad Clark and have shared our conversation below.
Rashad , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Honestly I feel like my purpose found me. I always knew that I wanted to get into the entertainment industry, but i never knew what lane I wanted to stay in. I started off dancing, and it was nice but I always felt like I was doing it because other people said I was good at it. I tried singing and I loved it, but it didn’t excite me enough. Then I got behind a professional camera in 2020, and everything changed. I felt like I was a brand new person. I was able to let go and be free. I could express myself in so many ways from outfits, posing, etc. It felt amazing and I wanted to know more. I was always into fashion and photography so when I started modeling I felt complete.
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?
Hello Everyone, My name is Rashad Clark. I am a Fashion Model, Influencer, and overall icon in the making. I started off singing and dancing at the age of 9. I always loved making people smile, feel happy, and just bringing positive energy. Over the years throughout my elementary, middle, and high school that was when my interest of fashion, photography, and modeling started to bubble. I got behind a camera in 2020 and ever since it’s been an amazing journey.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel around the country, walk for fashion week, meet amazing entertainers, walk fashion weeks, and most importantly find myself and my true calling.
I was signed a few years ago but the contract was very very terrible. I tell people always remember to read your contract and not to make the same mistake I did. Fortunately, I was blessed to get out of my contract and ever since then I have been Free Lance.
It does get difficult at times being free lance and not having an agent/agency but you meet people along the way (models,photographers,singers, etc.) who are also independent and it becomes inspiring and you find your people, your support system.
My brand/art is really catered for the young black queer youth who are afraid of being their true authentic self. I want people regardless of race, orientation, or identity to look at fashion content/modeling content and realize that they can be themselves and carry on in their divine feminine and masculine energy. That is it okay to feel both energies and display either one at your leisure.
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?
There have been so many people who have bestowed amazing knowledge on me going into the entertainment industry. I would have to say the first one came from Fatima Robinson ( the greatest choreographer and creative director that has ever been in my opinion). I met her at her birthday celebration and it was such a joy meeting her. She is truly a wonderful person with a heart of gold. We danced together and I was able to speak to her and even got a photo. She told me to never second guess myself, and that God and the universe opens opportunities to use our talents to the world, you only get one chance and go into with your head high and always know who you are. That no matter what you do you have to make sure you’re happy, and that your happiness is the most important thing.
Another one was my mentor at the time Traci Harris. She taught me how to walk, pose, and to really let go behind the camera. She taught me so many skills especially when it came from networking because you are your brand and your brand is you.
Lastly one of the best advice is from my grandmother Dorothy Marshall. She always told me to keep my circle small, and always remember to pay attention to everything. That if you don’t feel comfortable or have a bad feeling always listen to it. Never sacrifice your morals to get to the goals because if you do, it’ll never work out how you plan.
The advice that I would give people who are early in their journey would just be too never compare yourself to any other person. We all have our time to shine, and if you do not get that job, booking, or anything that don’t let that defeat you. Use that as your motivator for the next opportunity because maybe it just wasn’t your time and it’s okay. Another piece of advice that I would give to anyone starting early in their journey is that it’s not going to be easy. You are going to come across a lot of trials and tribulations, but as long as you know who you are, and your surrounding yourself with the right friends who are all working towards bettering yourselves, life will become a beautiful symphony.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I would say the number one obstacle or challenge that I am currently facing or always facing is overthinking and self sabotage. There have been so many times where I have created a concept and I throw it out because I’m thinking it won’t be good enough or people won’t receive it well. It has been so many times that I have been up at 3 AM in the morning writing down all these ideas and I just tossed them and never work on them because I was scared. I still have my moments where I will still get that hole and hide, but how I overcome it it’s just remembering what my grandma always told me. She always told me that as long as I believe in myself, it will work. To never second-guess yourself because second-guessing is overthinking and when you overthink, you’ve already sabotaged yourself. She’s always telling me to go with my gut, and listen to my first instinct. That whatever you want to do you do it because essentially we only have one life to live and nobody knows the time or the hour when their life ends so you want to make sure that you are doing everything you want to do and going after everything you want. Go and get what you deserve..
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saylilshad/?hl=en
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saylilshad
Image Credits
Instagram: @lalavisuals and @lala.aurielle
