We recently connected with Jerrell Grimes and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jerrell, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I have always believed that I was capable of achieving greatness; that I have what it takes to succeed and go beyond any limitations put on my life by others. Being a childhood cancer survivor put a fight inside me that won’t allow me to back down or give up when things get tough. I won’t say that the thought of giving up hasn’t crossed my mind, but it’s always short-lived. In 2020, I started working with a client from my home state, Rhode Island.
As the first black award-winning author, artist & entrepreneur from the city of Newport, I always felt like it was my duty to reach back and give someone else a helping hand. In other words, though I am now an artist and resident of Tampa Bay, I believed it was important to shine the light on others like me who have a story to tell. I created a unique plan that would elevate the individual and put a spotlight on other black people that had traumatic stories and/or pasts and needed the opportunity to tell their story on their terms.
After providing services for the client for almost 2 years, things took a turn for the worst. Not only did the client violate the terms of our agreement(s), the client went on to spread lies about me and my brand, and had the audacity to tell me that no one else would want to work with me. The client actively engaged in social media posts, private social media messages (that were almost always shared with me from the people she communicated with), and a “word-of-mouth” campaign that had pending clients hesitant to work with me. Friendships were severed and other important relationships were destroyed.
Though I knew my ex-client was processing alot personally, I tried my hardest not to take it personal. I’ve learned that sometimes when people have so much going on and they don’t know how to properly process their frustrations and/or anger with life, they tend to blame and/or find fault with just about anything and anyone. The best thing to do is to accept accountability for where I went wrong and move forward. That happened eventually, but not at first.
Most people would question why that would bother someone like myself. I mean, I don’t live in Rhode Island, right? It should have been easy to deal with, right? For me it wasn’t. That is where I am from. That is where my brand started. That is where my art first debuted. That’s where my roots are. Though this was a business transaction, there was an emotional connection. I felt good serving my community in this way. It has been challenging enough to have accomplished such a historical feat (being the first black author) and not being properly recognized by the city, the community or people in high places that tend to acknowledge others of lighter shades without hesitation. Now, my brand, my kind nature, my rapport, and my name was being attacked and tarnished because someone mistook my kindness and generosity as weakness.
Having “haters” is part of being successful. The nay-sayers are supposed to be motivation. It takes a personal look within to accept that, learn from it all and push ahead, confidently. Like I said earlier, I did that eventually, but at first it was rough. I had to accept my role in it all. Perhaps I was too lenient on my business practices because I had a “heart” for my homecity. Perhaps I should have adhered to the many red flags that popped up through0ut our business relationship. I didn’t. I wanted to accomplish something and by all means I was going to do it.
After learning that my ex-client has a history of these types of business transactions, I couldn’t help but think I was preyed on; that somewhere along the line, this client secretly despised what I have been able to accomplish and found an entry point by which there was an assumption she could “destroy” what I have built and get away with it. Once I was able to accept my role in this, I was able to properly identify the “hater.” The “hater” then rounded up an abundance of nay-sayers who believed my ex-client’s every word, even after I defended myself by presenting the unfiltered truth, with factual evidence, on many occasions. My only concern was that these lies would destroy the name that I’ve built for myself. Keep in mind, I have clients prior to this client and clients after this client that have only spoken highly of me, my brand and my business practices.
Instead of going back and forth, eventually, I decided to lean in on my creativity, on my art, on my business(es) and grow stronger. I learned that pain is a form of power. To be harmed, physically, emotionally, verbally, financially, mentally or even spiritually, is a form of power. The key is learning who holds the ultimate power and learning what to do with that power. How do you transform pain into a useful source of unlimited power? Start with the truth. Start with the facts. Start with acceptance. Accept what you can’t change. Accept what is true. Accept the facts. Sometimes that acceptance is painful, but I have learned I cannot move on until I have accepted the presence of “hate” and/or “doubt.”
I knew what she said about me, my business and my business practices were complete lies. Quite honestly alot of people knew, so there wasn’t a need for me to be so upset. When I focused on the truth and tapped into that relentless attitude being a cancer surivor afforded me, I knew I could overcome and my brand would excel, reaching higher heights. That is exactly what happened. I stopped focusing on the lies. I stopped focusing on the liars. I stopped giving power to the nay-sayers. Instead, I put the positive energy into myself, into my clients and into my businesses which has afforded me greater opportunities, newer clientele and business expansion.
I am a firm believer in karma. That is whatever goes around will come back around. Furthermore, whatever energy one emits into the universe, it shall come back. Negative energy with negative intentions will never yeild positive energy. So let the “haters” hate and let the nay-sayers talk…they are doing their job, testing your power. Still, whatever they say or do will return to them in some form…that’s the universal way.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an artist-entrepreneur in every sense of the term. I debuted in 2009 as an independently published poet. Since then I have published 3 poetry books and 2 non-fiction books (memoirs). My latest book, Black Boys Don’t Speak: This is the Remix” is a special edition re-release of my award-winning book, “Black Boys Don’t Speak.” In 2020, I was awarded a presidential bronze medal from Florida Authors and Publishers Association for that title.
Over the course of the last 13 years, I have managed book and audio projects for several poets, authors and independent recording artists representing Rhode Island, Connecticut, North Carolina and Virginia. As that list continues to grow, I have established my own media label, Ten19 Media Group. Ten19 Media Group specializes in print, audio and visual media. I hope to expand my clientele and roster here in the sunny state of Florida.
Additionally, I am a songwriter and Hip Hop artist. I began my songwriting career in 2011 and debuted my first album/EP in 2014 under the name of Wordz Smith. Honestly, I had no idea of what I was doing but I knew music was in me and so I sacrificed everything to record that project and put it out. In my mind, I just knew that project was going to be my big break. I was naiive but I never gave up and still today I am writing and recording music.
My artist name/pen name was changed to Jerrell Grimes in 2014 and I have been going strong since. I have worked with a few Tampa artists, photographers and videographers. Recently, I was contacted by an indie film director here in Tampa Bay, Chris Leto, the owner of Innovative Films, who requested I write a song for his forthcoming movie, Sammy Slick: Vampire Slayer. I was honored then, and I am honored today. The film debuts June 17, 2023 in New Port Richey, FL (Cinema 6). Not only is my original song, ‘Shut It Down’ (produced by King Bishop Productions – my producer, also from Rhode Island) featured in the film, but I have joined on as an Associate Producer of the film, making this my very first film credit. I look forward to joining the amazing community of musicians and artists this Fall as I prepare to debut my music and unique sound.
This year, 2023, I started my second business, Jerrell Grimes Entertainment & Management Services, LLC – my management company. Currently I manage a podcast, poet/author, music producer and a Spoken Word Recording Artist. I anticipate growing my team and my roster to support artists, entrepreneurs, small business and corporate clientele. I believe my unique skillset can provide the skills, training, development and management that is required (and in many cases missing) in today’s fast-growing market(s). From project management, to artist management, consultation and training, I have over 13 years of personal and professional experience that I believe not only qualifies me, but competively places me with my peers and those before me.
As a songwriter, musician, and entrepreneur, my goal is to not only leave my mark but to inspire others to find their greatness and own it. Surviving cancer taught me to never give up and against all odds to always bet on me. That’s why I believe losing isn’t an option. Even in the face of challenges, it’s never a loss but a lesson. I am working on a new album that will be available by the end of Summer 2023. Additionally, my clients have projects that have been released and are forthcoming. I am open for success and I anticipate what the future holds for me.
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?
Three qualities, skills or areas of knowlege that were/have been most impactful in my journey are: self-belief, self-love and confidence. For most people these three concepts appear to the same, but they are not. Self-belief is knowing yourself enough to know that you can achieve and accomplish anything you set out to do, no matter what it is. Achieving or accomplishing isn’t always about striving to be the next award winning artist. Self-belief can be as simple as passing a required exam or following a new eating plan to achieve optimal health. Self belief is knowing that against all odds you can obtain success, remembering success is subjective and individually defined.
Self-love is simply giving yourself grace. It’s being kind to yourself and being good to your body, mind and soul. None of us are perfect. Striving for perfection is a waste of time because it will never happen. Instead, embrace your flaws, embracce your weaknesses. In the same breath, embrace y0ur gifts and talents, embrace your strengths. Learn the balance of it all and live your life so in love with self. Treat yourself with kindness even mentally. Sometimes we don’t realize the negative things we say to ourselves, consequently disabling our ability to thrive at our highest potential. Self-love is everything.
Confidence is a tricky thing. Sometimes if we are over-confident we may find ourselves in situations and circumstances we are not prepared to handle or accept. Not being confident enough is a reflection our self-esteem and most often than not a reflection of our lack of self-love and self-belief. In my opinion, there should be a healthy balance of confidence in everything we do. Be confident enough to know what you can do, what you can’t do and be courageous enough to try something new. Courage goes hand in hand with confidence. Sometimes you will find (and this is from experience) not everything you deem as a weakness is in fact a weakness. Sometimes there are simply areas in our lives that need some courage and confidence and before you know it, what you thought was a flaw or weakness, may in fact be a strength that was just never engaged. Life is about lessons. Before you can do anything, you must start with self.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I am looking to partner and collaborate with musicians, authors, photographers, graphic designers, writers, videographers, small businesses and corportate business. Not only do I wish to exand my own brand, I want to network and build a stronger network within the community I live in and have resided in for the last 10 years. After the experience of writing music for a movie, I would love to work closely with a film producer and/or editor to executive produce a movie soundtrack. Additionally, I have experience will music video directing and would love to direct music videos for musicians. Though I am a Hip Hop artist, I do not box myself in or limit myself as a songwriter. I would love to collaborate with musicians representing other musical genres. Bottomline, the Jerrell Grimes brand is a worldly, all inclusive brand. I want to be everywhere, in every way possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artistjg.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_jerrellgrimes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerrellgrimes1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrellgrimes
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/_jerrellgrimes
- Other: www.instagram.com/jgrimesmgmt
www.instagram.com/ten19mediagroup
