Meet Keith Arthur Bolden of BOLDENtertainment in Downtown

Keith, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a professional actor and director and have been one for almost 20 years now. I attended the University of Illinois, or I obtain my Master’s Degree, and I’m currently a professor of drama at Spelman College in Atlanta Georgia. I have cut my teeth and made my living on stage and in the past five years have transitioned to doing more television and film. Some of my recent credits have been the film Mile 22 (starring Mark Wahlberg) , Underground, Being Mary Jane, Black Lightning, and two upcoming series Swamp Thing and American Soul.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My story is not unique. I have the same obstacles and struggles as any artist. Financial struggles, opportunity challenges, along with insecurities are usually what you find in an artist trying to make a living being an artist. But my faith, my family and my fearlessness keep me grounded. If you ever see me on stage you see the name Fearlessness in my choices, you always see my family with me or talking about them, and my faith is PARAMOUNT, My faith and my religious beliefs and also my faith in the people that God has put here physically to walk the talk and breathe with me.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BOLDENtertainment story. Tell us more about the business.
My wife and I started a business as an umbrella company to encompass and hold all of the artistic interest including acting, directing, producing and interior design and architecture. Our company has served as a grounding for all of our artistic expressions and so that we don’t get lost as we are pursuing all of the different talents that we possess.