We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Napoleon Wright II a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Napoleon, 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?
As a creative in the industry sense, I’ve been the only one in the room in my field multiple times throughout my career. It’s one of those things that I definitely notice, but I don’t let it determine how I show up in these spaces. I always show up as myself and in doing that, I’ve found that it allows me to really see people for who they are as well as connect with people who are like minded, not matter what they look like. The best way to do this I’ve found is to speak up when you have something to say. Don’t hold back for fear of sounding weird, or that you might be critiqued for what you say, because I can assure you people are thinking the same thing you are, they are just afraid to speak up. That’s how you start to connect with people. From the inside out.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the founder of Becauseus (pronounced “because-us”), which serves as my outlet for the greater good. I believe that as creatives, we have the power and the responsibility to affect change. Along my journey of becoming a creative professional, I am still a human being on this earth experiencing in real time the environmental, economical, and social impacts on our daily lives. Becauseus is my creative hub for sharing art, clothing, and music inspired by my experiences. The goal is that through my own creative expression of my mental state, I may be able to connect to people subconsciously and in turn, they can connect with others.
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?
1. Never give up. Create, create, create. Forever. The path will reveal itself. Follow it. 2. If you know how to draw, shout that from the mountain tops. If you can’t that’s totally fine, but in my field, you’d be surprised at how many people don’t know how to draw and how knowing how to will amplify your career.
3. Give yourself personal projects. They don’t have to be well thought out or elaborate, but giving yourself creative challenges not only builds your skills, but you are actively creating things for your portfolio. One 10 second animation of an idea you had might be seen by a client who loves the look of it for a feature film.
The advice I have is to believe in yourself. Along your journey you will find people who you learn from, people who try to hold you back, and people who don’t want you to succeed. It’s tough, because sometimes all those people look the same. But be yourself, believe in yourself, and you will find your people and your path.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I find the nearest park and go for a walk. Getting outside is the best medicine. Being around trees and natural sounds lets my mind be free. It allows you to unplug in a way that not many things can do. You’ll find solutions amongst nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: becauseus.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becauseus/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/napoleon-wright-ii-1242734/
Image Credits
I took all the photos and they are of me and products I created.
