We recently connected with Ken Gregory and have shared our conversation below.
Ken, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Oh, my resilience comes from my paternal grandfather, Walter, T. Jackson, who at age 53, obtained his bachelors degree from the Detroit Business College, all while working full-time as a janitor at Cass Technical high school in Detroit.. And all in an effort to prove to his sons, one of those being my father, the importance of education. However not knowing that his grandson, which would be me, was watching him in awe and wonder. So I proudly tell folks that I am the proud great grandson of sharecroppers from Tennessee, and the proud grandson of a janitor with a bachelors degree in psychology, all of whom we’re able to build something from nothing.
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?
Currently, I’m executive producing directing and starring in a short film titled “Huey” about the final days of Dr. Huey P. Newton. The co-founder of the Black Panther Party. This is a labor of love and slated to be out the Fall of 2023, and will be making its rounds on the film festival circuit.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities essential for a career in Acting by far are Patience, Tenacity and Teamwork. And the advice I would give anyone desiring to enter into the field of Acting, one, make sure you’re in it for the craft and NOT the perks. Two, make sure you know WHO you are before you embark upon this journey, because that way you’ll know EXACTLY what your boundaries are. And lastly, build a team. No one arrived to greatness in this industry without a LOT of help.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, which is often, especially when I’m in the middle of the process of making a film, I always step away and take a break, by not doing anything related to the business, which would include but not limited to, leaving home and taking a mini-vacay, usually back to my hometown of Detroit, which always energizes me and makes me realize how extremely fortunate and blessed I am to be doing what I love. Detroit always humbles me, especially because, my friends and family are always looking out for my best interests and know things that others don’t, which means they know what to do in order for me to get back in touch with my playful self, which helps me forget about the expectations that comes with being a creator, actor and producer. They bring me back to the simpler ME!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekengregory.wixsite.com/kengregory
- Instagram: @theKenGregory
- Facebook: @theKenGregory
- Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/kengregory?fbclid=PAAaa7bcUe7PYB4xM6wTFv05uZ9RJrOBJ09K4NUmBLcjUxsJbjO_2eKxUTHxw
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kengregory8277
Image Credits
Huebner Headshots
