Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan A. Godwin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From a young age, I knew I’d be successful. Always displaying a level of wisdom and determination far beyond my years. What stood out most is TALENT!
My parents tried their very best to support and nurture all of my interests. With that support and my natural abilities, I began to explore my interest in music and fashion. I remember my first talent show my parents took off of work, bought me a new suit everyone in my school knew that Ry could sing. However, when the curtain opened the words simply did not come out. What a waste of time, effort, and talent! That was my absolute last day being shy. Fast forward to my life as it is now, I cannot think of anything since that day I have wanted to accomplish that I did not at least TRY. That includes moving to Dallas. Out of nowhere my junior year in college I had a dream I moved to Texas. With no idea how to make it happen, I dropped all of my post-graduate plans and started my relocation research over completely.
I moved to Dallas in January of 2019 just six months after graduating from my alma mater North Carolina A&T State University (AGGIE PRIDE) fast forward to the present day and I cannot say that I have ever made a better decision. I have immersed in the culture and I want to use my platform to share it with the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While I have been very fortunate to have an amazing life, I have had to overcome quite a few obstacles. No one who has ever experienced greatness will tell you any different. For most of my adolescence while always popular never quite understood being in a predominantly white environment my entire life. It was not until the start of my tenure at North Carolina A&T that I truly felt a sense of belonging and began to walk in all that I am today.
Like many others, college can be described as one of the best times of my life. While I did enjoy every moment, I was not made exempt from the many struggles of the average college student. Along with everyday trouble I dealt with an extreme amount of grief throughout with at least one close member of my village passing away each year.
I was young and had never truly experienced the weight you carry when grieving. Spring semester of my junior year on Easter Sunday my grandfather, Robert Godwin Sr. was murdered and the video was uploaded online for millions to see. My entire world was shattered after just experiencing the hard loss of my Godmother at the top of the year. Not only was a dealing with an extreme amount of grief and the trauma of losing my grandfather so tragically, but I was also not able to experience it privately. Anywhere I went people asked invasive questions. Any time I had to give out my ID and someone would see my last name I’d hold my breath and hope they didn’t ask was I related to “the man who was killed on Facebook”
Before returning to school my senior year both my oldest cousin and great grandmother had also passed away and while away on spring my break so did my aunt. I was drowning but seemingly happy to everyone around me. Fearing that grief and depression would interfere with graduation and my future plans, I decided to enroll in grief counseling. I could not believe it a fourth-year psychology student and I was the one on the verge of as breakdown. Because I made the decision to get up and do the work slowly but surely, I was able to make it back to a version of myself I could recognize and be proud of proud. Today I take pride in being a mental health advocate for my community and those around me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have always been a very creative person. I express myself through music, art, fashion, photography, and even modeling. Throughout my childhood, I always sang and acted in different musical productions. I even played the lead guitar for a while. I have wanted for so long to pick up a guitar again and I will soon. I always have my hand in many different things because I find it hard to express myself in one way. Creative directing has allowed me to bring visions to life that I have not been able to fulfill on my own through others and I love it! The Virgo in me will not let me sit down and won’t let me settle for anything less than excellent. As of today, I can be found writing and arranging music one day, partnering with brands like Evan Alexander Beard Co and Big Boys are Cute the next. My ultimate goal is to use my natural God-given talents to make a life for myself and my loved ones.
I am most known for being the life of the party. Literally lighting up a room with my smile, warm personality, and my inability to resist telling a good joke. I love to hear laughter and see expressions of joy in others. It literally keeps me going!
I am also known for many collaborative efforts. Art is so much better when you come together to make it. Any creatives in Dallas looking to team up please do not hesitate to reach out and make magic with me!
I am most proud of being my genuine self. There are a plethora of accomplishments and accolades I could’ve listed, but none would be possible without me waking up every day and deciding not to put up a facade. Making the decision to live my life according to my own rules and make my way as best I can. I know with God all things are possible and no dream is too big or far-fetched for me to accomplish. That alone gives me the confidence to passionately pursue my God-given purpose and inspire others to do the same.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Some call it luck I call it FAVOR and one thing about favor it IS fair. Everything I have and ma is because God made it possible. I guess I am just one his favorites…
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/god.winr/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/god_winr
Image Credits
@latishamariee
