Meet Tray Haymon

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

Tray , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I think my resilience comes from losing so many times and failing so many times. It comes from wanting to give up but not being mentally able to because you know you’re meant to have the things you’re chasing. Giving up is too easy. I’ve always wanted to be the odd ball, the one that makes the impossible, possible and i understand that comes with many lows and things not working out and those moments are what make me stronger and give me the ability to keep trying and going.

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?

My name is Travoyn, (Tray) a 30-year-old recording artist and engineer from Cleveland, Ohio. Music has always been my way of finding beauty in the world. Growing up in the church, I watched my dad and his siblings’ deep passion for music, which sparked my own. At 13, I moved to McDonough, Georgia, where I discovered the rich landscape of Atlanta’s Black entertainment scene. That exposure allowed me to connect and collaborate with incredible artists who helped shape my journey.

In my music, I want my listeners to feel seen and connected. Life is filled with moments—big and small, good and bad—and my goal is to remind people that every emotion deserves expression. It’s through experience and expression that we navigate the world.

Currently, I’m working on a new EP, set for a November release, and I’ve got a project with MEEZY 53 dropping soon. In addition to my own music, I’m using my skills to give back, developing a program for middle and high school students interested in the music industry. We’re creating a hands-on, exciting way for young people to learn audio engineering, music production, and the business side of the industry.

When I’m not working on that, you’ll find me producing and writing songs for some of the top artists in the country.

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?

For me, the “Big 3” in life will always be: 1. God/Faith, 2. The Ability to Keep Going, and 3. Networking.

I start with God because, without Him, I am nothing. My faith in Him isn’t just the foundation of my career—it’s the cornerstone of my life. He’s the source of my talent and creativity, and I believe anyone striving to reach their goals should begin with God. He’s the reason for every gift we have.

Next is the ability to keep going. I can promise you, things won’t always go as planned. Disappointment and discouragement are inevitable on any journey, but the key is resilience. You have to be able to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. You can’t let setbacks be the end of your dreams.

Lastly, networking. In my experience, connections have taken me to places that money alone couldn’t. Meeting people, shaking hands, and forming genuine relationships is vital. It allows you to present yourself in ways that social media can’t always capture. Never miss the opportunity to introduce yourself and share your gifts with the world—there are people out there who are looking for exactly what only you can offer.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Overcoming episodes of depression has been my biggest area of growth so far. Mental health is a critical aspect of life, yet it’s often overlooked in favor of “the grind” or the idea of “getting it out the mud.” In reality, mental health can be one of the toughest challenges we face if it goes unaddressed. I’ve learned that taking breaks along the journey is not only okay, but sometimes essential. When life knocks you down, a reset can be exactly what you need to get back up.

Being honest about how you feel and expressing it authentically is an important part of who you are. Suppressing those feelings can lead you down a difficult path, one that’s much harder to recover from. Working on my mental health has made me a better person, a better friend, and a better creative.

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Image Credits

Rokk Rollin Flims

Troy Williams

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