Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Cunningham.
Ray, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got to where I am today by remaining humble, staying diligent in my efforts and never letting my sexual preference define who I am. I come from the early 2000s era of get it done by any means necessary – I’ve interned, worked for free, worked but didn’t get paid, even gotten others paid before myself and have had ideas stolen but it didn’t discourage me.
I’ve always known I was going to be a voice for my community – one of my church elders told me early on and told me to prepare myself. I did just that, I made sure every room I walked in – I owned it or at least when I left someone who didn’t know me, knew me when I left.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Being black, educated and gay wasn’t on America’s agenda when I came along so I faced every excuse there was available starting out in television then eventually getting into network corporate communications. You name it I wasn’t it but I took every NO and hustled my way into every meeting and opportunity ten toes down and heart in the right place. I’ve earned everything I’ve accomplished, honestly. I sleep peacefully knowing I’ve been able to navigate Hollywood positively.
Please tell us about Social Status PR.
My company Social Status PR was originally started back in 2008. We’ve worked with NBA players, comedians, actors, various creatives and reality tv stars. I’m most proud of the work we did with Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks when his statue was erected infront of the Phillips Arena back in 2015, we planned Lisa Raye’s 50th birthday celebration in Hollywood and last year we were hired by the NAACP to book talent for a video series of PSAs which feature high-profile celebrities such as Wanda Sykes, influencers including Van Lathan from TMZ and public figures including rapper Sage the Gemini urging people to vote in the midterms. What sets Social Status apart from other PR agencies is that my business partner and I have personal relationships with majority of our clients so we’re able to actually cater to their needs, promote their strengths as well as expand their reach to build new avenues for potential business.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over, I honestly wouldn’t. Every NO made me stronger. Every lesson learned made me wiser. Every missed opportunity better prepared me for the next. Everything that has happened to me since I started back in 2006 has lead me to where I am right now and where I’m going next. Life is too short to live with regrets.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: socialstatusmediallc
- Facebook: Missterray
- Twitter: Missterray
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