Today we’d like to introduce you to Franceli Chapman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It began on the island of Dominican Republic. My mother left her country behind and came to America with me at 3 years old. My father was here teaching Ethnic studies. By the age of 7, I was dancing Dominican Folklore at festivals and parades my father organized and choreographed & also toured schools teaching young people our music, dances and culture and how much the African culture was an influence on ours. So I started young. 🙂 The seed was planted early to not only entertain but educate as well. I am now in LA living out my dreams! Working in production, producing my first film & hosting on Afterbuzz TV!
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?
By no means! Yet I will say God’s hands have been all over my journey and has carried me through! When I first started acting at an Off-Broadway house on 42nd street in NY(Castillo Theater) in Highschool my father wasn’t too thrilled. He feared about the “artist struggle” and wanted me to pursue something like medicine or law. I left home went to Virginia for college with no idea how I was going to pay for it.
Sophomore year my father died and I found out while I was working as a radio personality at Hot 91.1 FM in Norfolk. The radio station will always be a place of joy & pain for me yet the fans showed me so much love and support during that difficult transition. After graduation, I was back home at my mother’s in the Bronx going through that post-grad depression during the recession and penned my first play! Which was produced at Castillo Theater.
Out of the darkness comes the light! Then LA happened! 4 years ago I booked a one-way ticket No car, No Job and hustled, cried, & fought my way through navigating this city. I had to get out of the Bronx, I needed to step out on faith. It was extremely difficult at first getting my footing here but I’m still here. Still standing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Celi’s Hangout! story. Tell us more about the business.
Celi’s Hangout! Is me! The vision of the brand. Having my logo be my gap was so important! When I was 17 a casting director told me I would never make it unless I got braces. This is my way of telling the world to #respectthegap Breaking the mold! I AM ENOUGH!
Celi’s Hangout started off as a Youtube show on Google Hangout interviewing artists on their journey. It has evolved into a movement. Hosting events, producing and Celi’s Hangout is a platform for others to tell their stories as well. I created the Script Party where writers have their screenplay or play read aloud by actors to the audience and get feedback to help develop their work.
I continue my dad’s legacy by partnering with other organizations like Dominicans in Cali to continue to uplift the culture and community here! I am a proud Afro-Latina! As well as the Peggy Beatrice Foundation who feeds the homeless every Tuesday at skid row. We all as artists have a responsibility to serve the world we are in. 🙂
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe luck is just God throwing a blessing my way. He makes a way out of no way.
There are doors I’ve walked through that I’m like REALLY?!? How did I get here? And I know it was all part of the plan. 😉
Contact Info:
- Website: Celitheactress.wordpress.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/celihangout
- Twitter: Www.twitter.com/celihangout
- Other: Www.youtube.com/CeliHangout
Image Credit:
Afterbuzz TV, Dominicans in Cali, Word Agency
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
