From Losing a Job to Gaining New Perspectives
After recently moving to Detroit, I found myself working for Arrow Uniform, a job I wasn’t passionate about. Losing that job after dealing with Anthony was another reminder that I had often worked in industries where I didn’t belong, instead of pursuing the career I had cultivated for years in entertainment. It’s frustrating to realize how many years I spent working for companies that didn’t align with my passion for media and entertainment. From the age of 14 to 26, I had worked for myself, hosting Video Control, a music video show. I had my hands in production long before many of my peers even knew what that entailed.
When I lost the job at Arrow, I decided to pivot and give broadcasting school a try. I enrolled at Specs Howard School of Media Arts, focusing on video and radio production, though I had never really wanted to be on the radio. My Grandma’s best friend, Aunt Ruth, once told me when I was just four years old, “You know what, baby? I see you performing in front of seas of people.” Her words stayed with me, but they also added immense pressure. I spent years trying to break into the limelight, but I lacked the necessary support system from a young age to fulfill that vision.
Trying to Make My Own Way
I’ve always been the type to carve my own path, but looking back, I never took the time to celebrate my small victories—whether it was taking the initiative to join classes at Continental Cablevision or contacting record labels to get content for Video Control. Those achievements went unnoticed and uncelebrated, even though they were huge stepping stones in my career. At times, I even felt a tinge of jealousy from some family members, but that’s a topic for my memoir.
Despite the obstacles, I’ve accomplished a lot. When I take stock of it now, I realize I was often ahead of my time. Many of the ideas I had back then have since come to life, though not by my hand—others simply had the support to bring those ideas into reality.
But my journey at Specs Howard was about more than just learning new technology; it was about pushing boundaries, and that’s where things took a difficult turn.
The Drag Queen Project and a Lesson in Standing Up for Myself
During my time at Specs Howard, the technology for video production was rapidly evolving. As we neared the final project that would determine our grades, I was appointed as team lead. I proposed a talk show featuring Diva, one of Detroit’s premier drag queens. My group’s reaction was unexpected. Without consulting me, they went behind my back to the instructor, objecting to my idea. This was prior to the mainstream popularity of drag culture that we see today with RuPaul’s Drag Race.
What hurt the most was that one of my own teammates, who was also gay, didn’t want to be associated with the project. Another teammate, a Chaplain, cited concerns about how his church community would react. It was a homophobic undertone I couldn’t ignore, and it felt like a betrayal from people I had spent eight months with, day in and day out.
The instructor, while indifferent to the idea, sarcastically said, “We’ve got AIDS, Preemies, and Drag Queens—what more could we ask for?” His comment made light of the situation, but for me, this project was an opportunity to showcase voices that weren’t often heard. I stood firm on my decision to move forward with Diva as the focus.
But the tension was thick, and I had to face the possibility that forcing the project could create more negativity. The last thing I wanted was to put Diva in a situation where she might face homophobia or a hostile environment. So, I reluctantly agreed to a compromise. The Chaplain and I worked together on a documentary about Janet Jackson. It was a two-minute project that turned out beautifully, and I received an A for the course. However, the experience left a bitter taste, as I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had backed down from something important to me.
The Real Lessons Learned
In the end, I passed the course with a 3.5 GPA, but this experience taught me lessons that went beyond academic achievement.
Fight for What You Believe In
It’s easy to give in when others are uncomfortable with your ideas, but if you truly believe in something, you have to stand up for it. My project idea wasn’t just about a drag queen; it was about representing a community that deserves to be heard.Understand the Value of Compromise
While standing up for your beliefs is important, sometimes a compromise is necessary to move forward. I wasn’t thrilled with the outcome, but I recognized that working with the Chaplain allowed me to finish the course without creating more conflict.Learn to Deal with Difficult People
In any work environment, you’ll encounter people who don’t see eye-to-eye with you. Instead of letting it derail you, stay professional and keep the bigger picture in mind. Not every battle is worth losing a job or grade over, but the right battles should be fought.Celebrate Your Accomplishments
I had spent so much time helping others succeed that I never took a moment to celebrate my own victories. Whether small or large, every accomplishment deserves recognition, especially when it’s achieved without the luxury of resources or support.Push Boundaries Even When It’s Hard
Many of the most successful ideas I’ve had were ahead of their time. While not everyone will understand or support your vision, pushing boundaries is what creates real progress. The world might not be ready, but that doesn’t mean you should stop.
Moving Forward with Resilience
Losing my job at Arrow Uniform and facing adversity at Specs Howard were just a few of the challenges I’ve faced. But each setback has made me more determined. I’ve learned to stand up for myself, even when it’s uncomfortable. In the end, the most important thing is that I’ve continued to push forward, creating my own path, regardless of the obstacles.
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