Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronin Lee.
Ronin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Much of my story begins at Howard University. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my Alma mater. Howard made me feel as if I could do anything I wanted to if I worked hard enough. It was there that I joined the Air Force ROTC program and went on to serve as an officer in the US Air Force. I credit the military for my discipline, resiliency and drive. After I separated, I was accepted into the Florida State University Film School. Everything I know about practical filmmaking, I learned during my time at Florida State. Hard work in the hot Tallahassee sun and the cold winter months while occupying every filmmaking position molded me into a jack-of-all-trades. Since then, I’ve gone on to write, direct and star in a lot of my own projects all while establishing my company, MojoSoDope Films. My newest project is a talk series entitled, This Might Sound Crazy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being a creative is very hard in today’s climate because there are so many talented people and nearly everyone has access to quality equipment to produce engaging content. It’s a very fun, collaborative environment but its easy for your message to be lost amongst thousands of other dueling messages. While things haven’t been smooth, I’m enjoying the process of learning and figuring things out. My main struggle has always been my anxiety.
Shortly after my parents divorced, I began to experience a break in my mental health. I withdrew and began suppressing my issues, taking everything out on myself. I still do this to a degree. It is from this suppression of my overall depression as a child that my social anxiety was borne, and later my suicidal ideation. I didn’t feel comfortable talking about these things until shortly after my mother passed. I decided that I wanted to use my creativity to help and give a voice/safe space to a community of people who struggle with mental health illnesses. I created This Might Sound Crazy, a “convo show” dedicated to discussing mental health issues in an open and honest environment with a few jokes thrown in here and there. The path I’ve taken hasn’t been easy but I’m grateful for the bumps. I’ve learned so much about my ability as a creator by betting on myself and building from the ground up that I’m no longer afraid to fail.
MojoSoDope Films – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
MojoSoDope Films is my production company. I create cinematic visuals for myself and my clients along with producing content for my horror series, Macabre, and This Might Sound Crazy.
Additionally, as a subsidiary MSD Films, I’m in the process of forming a foundation/lifestyle brand DKYKTS (Don’t Kill Yourself, Kill The Stigma). I wanted to find a way to use my creativity for something I really cared about such as mental wellness and how one’s mental health can drastically affect their lives and relationships. More so, if left untreated, how mental illnesses can stifle young, Black kids before they’re ever given a chance to live and grow. This Might Sound Crazy is a byproduct of DKYKTS.
While I’m very proud of the filmmaking aspect of MSD Films and the stories I work to tell, I’m most proud of DKYKTS. It’s a platform that I truly believe in and I’m able to use my talent to support it. Eventually, using MojoSoDope Films revenue, DKYKTS will establish a fund to send young black teenagers who struggle with mental health issues on vacations to relax and refocus. Creating is something that I love to do but it wouldn’t mean anything if my creations were made in vain.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success, to me, is living truthfully while fulfilling your purpose in life. Everything falls into place after that. That may sound simple or “heady”, but life has humbled me a lot and I’ve learned to place value in the simple things and my loved ones. I treat everything else like icing on the cake. Is it tough? YES! But I’m doing what I love with the intent to help people. I’d like to create more visuals with talented artists and produce more episodes of This Might Sound Crazy and Macabre. I’d love for DKYKTS to sponsor several junior high school and high school students on a mental health getaway by 2022. Those are worthy markers to have. However, that success doesn’t come without laying the groundwork first. So I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.roninlee.pro, www.dkykts.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: PRPL_SZN
- Twitter: Ronin_Lee
Image Credit:
Mariah Robinson
Tia P.
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