Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Slade.
Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey, my name is Chris Slade, but most people just call me Slade, and I’m originally from the Northside of Jacksonville, Florida. I am an educator, musical artist, entrepreneur, and creative director. I own companies and brands designed for young professional African Americans and provide services that range from throwing culturally impacting events to presenting community initiatives that provide items for those in need. I also design artistic events, as well as create music and art projects. I began in 2017 when I founded The Influence Crew, LLC and its subsidiary company Flying Write Entertainment. I did this with the hopes of creating long-lasting and impacting content that can be presented to the city of Jacksonville and grow the culture in a positive way that will help take Jacksonville to the next level in industry. Today, I partnered with other motivated minds and brands in the city to throw major events such as Jax Juneteenth Celebration and the Jax Met Gala. I have also partnered to bring weekly events such as Culture Lounge to the city in order to help thriving artists and entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their talent. A book has since been published through Culture Lounge titled “Ten Toes Down” highlighting those premier trailblazers, in which I am a contributing author. These events, brands and products help bring awareness to necessary causes and issues in the African American community while allowing like-minded individuals to network and grow through conversations that can lead to business being done. I am not where I plan to be yet, but with real work and commitment, the vision of The Influence Crew and Flying Write will soon come to fruition.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think any road to success is smooth. There will always be trials and tribulations that test your strength and your ability to be resilient in tough times. I am in school pursuing my doctorate in educational leadership while I teach full-time in elementary education. This can be tough to maintain as I also handle growing my businesses and doing what is necessary to provide content for the culture. Being married with 2 little girls, who are 2 and 3, can make things a little more challenging as well, but reaching my goals requires a certain level of passion and conviction to strive and rise above the difficulties I may face. Struggles will always come, but it is how you handle them in the face of adversity that proves if you are truly deserving of the rewards that come with being totally invested.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Influence Crew and Flying Write was birthed out of necessity to create an impacting culture in the city of Jacksonville, Florida. Our goal is to enhance the young professional community and redefine it by displaying African American culture through social gatherings. We plan to facilitate great events, that also spread true awareness to a needed cause. Our focus is not only to impact the community with social events but also to participate in community events that serve people in need. We also want to put forth positive images of young professional culture through art, music, writing, fashion and film.
The event I am most proud of would have to be Jax Juneteenth where we throw a celebration in an annual observance on June 19 to remember when Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865. This day is an opportunity for people to celebrate freedom and equal rights in the United States. We have grown this into a major event hosting over 500 people and next year will definitely be even bigger. I also partner with other brilliant minds to present the Jax Met Gala. This is an annual event that takes place at the end of September and brings together the most influential African American entrepreneurs and business leaders in the city.
I am also very proud of the education initiative we have with our NorthEast Florida Book Drive. We are receiving donations and supplying low-income schools with the necessary books to create media areas and media centers in the classroom. We are doing this at the elementary grade levels and have contributed to creating media areas in fourth and fifth-grade classrooms at 2 local schools in poverty-stricken areas of Jacksonville. We are continuing this initiative throughout the entire school year.
Flying Write has also released musical projects by myself and our artist M.A.L. titled “Ready” and “The PARTY”, that have incredible visuals and songs that have been met with high praise and acclaim. Our music is timeless and we take the vision and content associated with it very seriously as we plan to take Jacksonville music to the next level. With the growth of Culture Lounge weekly and the popularity of our book “Ten Toes Down” growing monthly, we are on the right road for continued success.
What sets us apart from others is the understanding of whether it is book drives, major events for the community and business leaders, or music releases, we want to bring action that is not normally seen in the Jacksonville community from young professionals. The definition of influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something or the effect itself. We feel with community support, we can be the positive effect everyone wants to see in the city.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned thus far is protecting my ideas and identity. It is very easy to be used or have ideas taken that limit you having your own identity. It doesn’t mean you must limit your networking or creativity. It does mean staying protective of yourself and knowing what is a good situation for you and what is not.
Contact Info:
- Website: theinfluencecrew.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theinfluencecrew?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinfluencecrew
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/7doNHsHyJ6k
