Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetrius Guidry.
Hi Demetrius, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From Beginner to Industry Insider: How One Man’s Journey with Angel Sessions Sparked a Creative Movement
What happens when passion meets opportunity? For me, it turned into a whirlwind journey through music, tech, and creativity, all thanks to one powerhouse artist, Angel Sessions.
I’m one of the founding partners of Atlas Elite Entertainment, a record label, magazine, and online music awards platform that I helped build from the ground up. But long before all that, I was just a guy with a camera, a growing interest in web design, and absolutely zero experience in the music industry. And then I met Angel.
It was 2005 when Angel who is an exceptionally talented R&B and Gospel artist, songwriter, actress, and Grammy® voting member asked me a question that would change the course of my life: “Will you manage me?” Without hesitation I said yes, even though I didn’t know the first thing about managing a music career. But Angel didn’t just ask, she guided me every step of the way.
Learning by Doing… Everything
At the time, I had started dabbling in building websites. Angel needed one, and I was up for the challenge. Even though I had never created a site for a music artist, she guided me every step of the way. It came together beautifully because she had a clear vision, and I was eager to learn.
Before I knew it, I had bought my first digital camera to photograph her performances and promo shots. I started creating her album covers, designing graphics, and eventually capturing videos that brought her music, and her story to life for her fans around the world.
From photography to videography, graphic design to web development, my skills grew because helping Angel was my reason to grow them.
Lights, Camera… Audition!
One of the standout moments in our journey came when Angel wanted to audition for Black Nativity, a legendary Christmas musical at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in San Francisco. It’s a cornerstone of African American theatre in the Bay Area, and landing a role there is no small feat. The competition for every role is intense.
She had someone representing her at the time who promised to secure the audition but never followed through. That’s when Angel turned to me again and said, “Will you call these people and get me an audition?” I made the call, pitched Angel’s incredible talent, and landed her the audition. She stepped onto that stage, took control of her moment, and absolutely crushed it, landing herself a spot in the cast. To top it off, I negotiated her contract, which was my very first time doing this for someone else. Not only was Angel cast, but she also became a lead soloist and one of the principal actors in a two-hour show that ran four nights a week during the holiday season. I was there for every rehearsal, every performance, and every standing ovation with my video camera recording memories.
The Making of Atlas Elite Entertainment: A Journey Fueled by Passion and Purpose
Fast forward to 2017. Along with Angel and our fellow founding partner, Rodney F. Crews, we launched Atlas Elite Entertainment; a record label featuring Angel and her daughter, Shardella Sessions, as our premiere artists.
Then came our groundbreaking Atlas Elite Entertainment Music Awards, a 100% online, global celebration of independent talent that ran for five years. Artists from all over the world heard about our award show, submitted their songs, instrumental music, and grew their followings thanks to our innovative platform.
We didn’t stop there. We also launched the Atlas Elite Entertainment Magazine, a one-of-a-kind digital experience where fans can not only read exclusive interviews but actually hear artists tell their stories and watch them in action through embedded videos. It’s interactive, personal, and powered by passion.
I develop every aspect of each issue from layout to visuals crafting the entire design. It’s my creative playground, and I truly enjoy every moment of it. Of course, Angel and Rodney make significant contributions during the process. People hardly ever see me on the front line. I work behind the scenes. However, you always see my creations on the front line.
Giving Credit Where It’s Due
People often ask me how I learned the ropes of such a tough industry. The answer is simple, Angel Sessions.
She saw something in me before I even saw it in myself. Every role I’ve played from manager to creative director, from tech guy to brand strategist I learned because she gave me the space, the support, and the spark.
Everything I’ve accomplished over the past two decades, I owe to her mentorship, trust, and partnership. Now that we’re married, we share this life together.
Our journey is still unfolding, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this wild ride, it’s this: when you align yourself with purpose, and when someone believes in you, you can become more than you ever imagined. And in my case, that’s exactly what happened.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, far from it. But that’s what makes the journey real. When Angel first asked me to manage her, I had no industry connections, no formal training, and absolutely no idea what I was doing. It was all trial by fire. I had to teach myself everything from building websites and designing album covers to negotiating contracts and directing videos. I was constantly stepping into unknown territory with nothing but passion and a belief that I couldn’t let her down. All of this was built while I held down a demanding 9-to-5 job during the day often staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning, pouring everything I had into this dream, knowing I’d have to wake up and do it all again.
There were moments of doubt, moments where I felt completely in over my head. I wasn’t just learning new skills; I was learning to believe in myself to silence the inner voice that said, you’re not qualified for this. And then there were outside challenges: missed opportunities, people who promised help but disappeared, the uphill battle of starting a record label from scratch, and the pressure of launching projects like our online awards show or magazine with no blueprint to follow.
But each struggle sharpened me. Each obstacle forced me to get creative, to figure it out, and to show up anyway. The road wasn’t smooth, but it led to something beautiful. Every bump, every failure, every long night was part of becoming who I am now. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade the struggle, because without it, there’d be no story worth telling.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day, I work in residential property management; a fast-paced, high-responsibility field that blends finance, operations, and people skills all into one. Over the past 18 years, I’ve managed HUD and Tax Credit properties, Senior Living, and supportive housing properties for individuals with disabilities. These are communities where residents don’t just rent units, they build their lives. That means I’m responsible for everything from balancing complex budgets and generating operational reports to overseeing staff, coordinating with multiple vendors, resolving maintenance issues, and, most critically, managing the day-to-day realities of human behavior and community life.
What sets me apart is my ability to stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented in the middle of conflict. I’ve developed a reputation for handling the most challenging resident complaints with professionalism, empathy, and clarity often turning tension into trust. I’m proud of that. Because in this role, it’s not just about fixing problems; it’s about preserving people’s homes and their dignity.
This job demands precision, endurance, and heart. I bring all three to the table every day. What makes my story unique is that while I’m fully committed to this demanding career, I’ve also built a thriving creative and entrepreneurial world after hours. I’ve spent countless nights up until 2 or 3 a.m. working on music projects, digital media, and brand development only to wake up and step right back into the boardroom or the boiler room. It’s a balance of structure and passion, discipline and creativity. And honestly, I thrive in both.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice? Pace yourself because passion without balance can burn you out. When I started out, I was holding down a very demanding day job managing multifamily residential properties, including HUD, Tax Credit, Senior Living, and supportive housing. That meant juggling budgets, vendors, staff, compliance, and most importantly, the people who call those communities home. It’s a job that requires total focus and emotional bandwidth.
At the same time, I was building Atlas Elite Entertainment from the ground up by designing websites, producing media, coordinating award shows, and managing Angel Sessions all between the hours of 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. There were years when sleep was a luxury and burnout was always one step behind me. I pushed through because I was driven, but if I could go back, I’d remind myself that consistency beats intensity over the long haul.
So, if you’re just starting out, especially if you’re chasing a dream outside of your 9-to-5, honor your health, create a schedule that gives you breathing room, and don’t feel like you have to build it all overnight. Dreams take time. And, if you’re not careful, you can be so busy grinding that you forget to live. Trust me, the vision is worth it, but you’ll get there stronger if you give yourself space to grow and rest.
Contact Info:
- Other: pmgvva@gmail.com
Image Credits
Images by Demetrius Guidry
