How do you overcome adversity and build a successful creative career from nothing? Creative director and vocalist Dedrick Bonner shares his journey from being a Black gay man raised in a Pentecostal church in Alabama to working with Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and performing at the Oscars with the cast of Sinners. Dedrick opens up about experiencing homelessness during high school, finding resilience in rock bottom moments, and discovering that the most successful people share one common and vital trait. From church rejection to making history as the first-ever musical performance at the SAG Awards, this conversation explores gratitude despite struggle, the beauty found in failure, and why rock bottom is actually a blessing in disguise that clears space for something greater.

In this episode they explore: 

• The heartbreaking reason Dedrick chose to triple major in college
• What Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, and Aretha Franklin all have in common
• How a pastor’s kid from Alabama made history at the SAG Awards
• The real meaning of resilience
• How to find the joy in your creative work again
• Why "self-made" success is a complete myth (according to someone who's seen it all)

Dedrick Bonner:

• IG: @dedrickbonner

Also mentioned:

• How To Spot A Gatekeeper (Even If It’s You)
• Our episode on women in Hollywood

You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

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Cesar Cardona:

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Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
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Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Editor: Bessie Fong

Special Guest: Dedrick Bonner

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

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