We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Reggie Currelley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Reggie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I learned at a young age that how I looked made people feel a certain way, but the one thing my mom taught me is to always know who I am, and to be comfortable in MY own skin. It doesn’t matter what people’s view of you is, it’s’ how you view yourself, that matters. So I took that and ran with it. So when I’m in the room with people that don’t look like me, or act like me, it doesn’t phase me. Because, by the time I leave the room, they will see me for who I am, and not care what I look like. I know my confidence and personality will always change the narrative in my life. That’ll never change.
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?
I grew up in the projects in Boston, and my friends’ family would take me to New Hampshire during the summers and it helped me see that there’s more to the world than the bricks I lived in.
I was always a jokester and interested in the arts. I was never shy to express art in the house. I felt like I was in a movie most of my life. Especially after seeing Shirley Temple and Michael Jackson on TV. I wanted to bring joy to people like they did.
The best advice I ever got was from my mom. I can remember sitting on the steps with her, and my older brother would be doing something athletic, and I turned to my mom and said ” I wanna be just like my brother”. She looked at me and said, ” you know what?, if you be yourself you’ll be a lot happier and go a lot further. You can admire your brother, but if you’re who you are and strive to be your best authentic self, that’ll be the best reward.” And she was right!
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My biggest improvement over the past 12 months is that I took control of my mental health, and started walking in my purpose. I’m not afraid to fail, and I celebrate the wins and losses.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @rcurrelley
- Linkedin: Reggie Currelley
- Twitter: @rcurrelley
Image Credits
Reggie Currelley at the premier of The Hit Reggie on Set of The Hit Reggie and partner Steve on the set of Zombie Love
