Hopefully this exercise allows you to know me a little better. As a creative soul, sometimes it’s hard to fit all of the “About Me” into one paragraph.

Maybe 25 will do the trick.

(this is a frequently asked question?)

Hey, my name is Adrian. I come from humble beginnings in the suburban city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. I don’t think I could have asked for a better childhood. Growing up, the summers were hot and humid, but full of memories playing outdoors with water guns, shooting hoop, and chasing the ice cream truck. After high school, the 11 years of my life spent in Virginia had been a blast, but I knew I wanted to explore more of the world. So what better place to do some exploring than Los Angeles, California? Now, here I am - ready to make new memories and embark on even greater adventures.

(we all have to be adaptable)

If you asked me what I wanted to do with my life when I was a kid, my only answer would have been - professional football player. However, my high school days made it clear that I should probably start making new plans. As someone who’d been an athlete my entire life, pivoting from being engrossed in the games I love was more than a tough decision. What I loved about sports was proving to my competition that I was the best, and in my professional career, there’s a new opportunity to bring the same fire.

(oh the places we’ll go)

Hello, all. When I think about describing who I am to someone who doesn't know me - I immediately know you have to have an idea of where I’m from. I have an extremely adventurous spirit. I attribute that piece of my personality distinctly to my parents. My mom immigrated to North America from Jamaica when she was 21 years old, while my dad’s side of the family set up shop in New York City having hailed from the Bahamas. Adventure has been a part of my bloodline for generations, and to me there’s no wonder why I seek out new experiences everywhere I go.

(a tiger that changes stripes)

I am unique. I am flawed. I am perfect. I am eccentric. I am funny. I am shy. I am outgoing. I want to move people with my emotions, and I don’t ever want someone to see me cry real tears. I don’t make sense. It took me a long time to realize that most of us don’t. There are days when I feel like I can do all things, and other days I question why I even try. I am strong, and I am pathetic. I am predictable and unbelievable. I am capable of achieving things that others couldn’t even imagine because I am me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

(to be rid of the loudest naysayer)

Hi, I’m Adrian. I am human and I wish I could rid myself of doubt. The doubts that I hold within myself are truly the only thing that can hold me back from greatness. When I exude true confidence, there’s no one on Earth like me. Yet, when I allow myself to contaminate how I feel about me, I may as well be a sheep. There are mental gymnastics that I play with myself every day to ensure that I don’t fall victim to my own devices. Sometimes the days that I can steer clear of myself, are the days I can truly be all that I am.

(who do you want to be?)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have somewhat of a flair for the dramatic. I love to be seen, heard, and valued as a person with something impactful to present to those who touch my life. My name is Adrian - I wish to be known as a creator. I dream of turning nothings into somethings, and being inspirational to the people around me on a daily basis. On a good day, I will have done something fun. On a great day, I will have done something creative.

(don’t run from feeling emotion)

In order to learn more about me, it’s imperative that I embrace self-expression. We as people are well-equipped to find what makes us all different. However, the beauty of our existence is in what binds us together. Even for me to learn about me, I need to put myself into positions where I’m challenged to speak on my beliefs, cry about the issues closest to my heart, and break bread with those who don’t come from the same culture as I do. There, in those most vulnerable zones, is where I most often learn who I am.

(what influenced you as a child?)

Hi, my name is Adrian. I was born in Albany, New York, but didn’t manage to live there long enough to develop the accent or internalize the culture. The melting pot that is New York City is like a second home to me. It is where some of my closest relatives reside, and so I spend a lot of time in the Big Apple for the holidays and even family reunions. The scale of New York City always left me wanting to be there more, and ultimately played a large part in why I knew when I got older I was destined to live in a big city.

(dora’s not the only one who wants to see the world)

My name is Adrian and I’m an explorer. My life has always been driven by the next adventure, and I think that’s the best way to fend off stagnancy. Life to me is about discovery, and embracing the wonders of the world we’ve yet to experience keeps excitement alive and mystery within my universe. My biggest fear is to ever feel like I am running in place because that just means I’m watching life go by, instead of experiencing its wonder.

(prove to me you’re human)

There’s a certain reality to our existence here on Earth. There’s going to be happy days, sad days, and everything in between. As human beings, it is in our nature to experience this whirlwind of emotions. Over the Christmas holiday, my family sat down and played a card game that matched your personality to a specific color. My name is Adrian, and my color was yellow, which is characterized by a level of optimism. My entire family agreed that was spot on. That moment was so impactful for me because it was the first time in my life I can remember them all agreeing that they have never seen me have a “sad day.”

(why so serious?)

Hi, my name is Adrian. A couple things you should know about me are that I love sun, fun, and I wish I had another “un” word to complete this sentence with honesty. I am someone who doesn’t take life too seriously, and knows how to get along with just about anybody. I’m very good at making sure other people don’t disturb my peace, as I constantly remind myself that misery loves company. I wish to be a positive source in the lives that I touch, and am always looking for new ways to be self-expressive. Oh to be a creative.

(so you think you’re funny?)

What’s up world, my name is Adrian. I like to think I’m funny, but whenever someone says that about themselves I’m sure we can all see the crash coming. Well-placed humor is like magic to just about any creative piece. As a person who dreams of being something of a prophet, stand up comedy always struck me as the most ingenious way for my voice to be heard. Outside of all the other amazing things that I do, one of my deepest fantasies on earth is to be gifted comedically. I think mostly what that says about me is that there’s something I love about failure.

(my love is endless)

Hello everyone, my name is Adrian. I am an outgoing, optimistic person, and feel as though I have a lot of love to give. However, for the majority of my life I’ve been reluctant to give it. I have no issues making friends, and telling those closest to me that I love them. At the same time, the endless amount of love that I have to give is often left to go to waste. Maybe I am just protecting myself.  I don’t often let many people get emotionally close to me, which is a shame because I am kind, empathic, and full of a whole lot of love. When I do share it, just make sure to handle with care.

(alexa play that one song I love)

Hi, I’m Adrian. I think you can learn a lot about who someone is by their taste in music. The genres that I listen to the most are Hip-Hop and R&B. Some of my favorite artists are Joey Badass, Wale, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Frank Ocean, and Usher to name a few. Poetry and writing in ways that are visual and expressive has always been a deeply impactful art form for me. The aforementioned men, as well as countless others, create art that continues to inform how I live my everyday life. I guess you could say that has helped make me into the person I am today.

(black, but not black enough)

Hi, I’m Adrian, and I am a 27-year-old African-American man. My parents come from places that hold vast amounts of culture, but I grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I think about how that has affected who I am a lot. Growing up, my parents both worked which allowed for my siblings and I to come up in a household where we never had to worry about where our next meal was coming from, what clothes we wore to school, or had to watch our backs when we left our house. Coming of age for me, had a lot to do with accepting gratitude for the life that I had, as opposed to feeling not “black enough” because of where I’m from.

(there’s a game to life. not that game.)

Hello, my name is Adrian. Truthfully I exist in this complex state of life where I feel I am an extraordinary being, but also struggle to find a satisfying level of contentment in my accomplishments to date. In my youth, I used to struggle with showing enough external confidence, but now I feel at times that I may forcibly portray too much. There’s a fine line to walk there, as humans tend to dislike those who are arrogant, but may not respect those who don’t command respect. The daily challenge for me is displaying the right amounts at any given moment.

(long live middle children)

Hello world, my name is Adrian and I am the middle child. There’s a lot that can be said about what that does to a person. In my house there were two parents, three kids, and each parent has a favorite child. Inevitably, that leaves someone to be, well, in the middle. I strangely embraced the fact that I was not a “favorite” child growing up. I almost feel like it can be a crutch. As a kid, I always felt loved and appreciated, but being able to metaphorically detach myself from my parent’s umbilical cord has let my ambition flourish. Therein lies the blessings of being the the least favorite.

(what is love, baby don’t hurt me)

Hi, I’m Adrian. I am 27-years-old and I have never experienced this thing called love. The only time I’ve ever told someone that I loved them was after they said it to me first. After pretending to not hear them, upon their second attempt, I felt it would have been pretty crappy not to say it back. Truth be told, I did have a really strong sense of “like” for this person, and at the time, I thought maybe this is love. However, if there’s one good thing aging will do for you, it will show you that there’s a lot more to love than just being really in ‘like’ with someone’s looks.

(to be free at last)

Hello all, I’m Adrian. What I think helps you know who someone is, is being in touch with their value system. What’s their sense of morality, and what is it that they care about? First and foremost for me is family. After that, are the relationships I’ve built with the life long friends in my life. Then, the ultimate goal for me as a person is to achieve freedom of movement. I want to be able to live comfortably and earn no matter where I am in the world. My freedom is largely the key to my happiness.

(1-on-1 = you’re done)

Hi, I’m Adrian. I’m a competitive guy. If you challenge me in basketball, I’ll probably tell you that 1-on1 I’ll beat you without even letting you score. Overpromise? Check up then. After I prove it, we’ll play again and I’ll beat you while only taking jump shots. At that point, better call MJ because no one’s knocking me off the court - I’m too hot. I’ve been an athlete my entire life, and there’s nothing I love more than being outside, active, and duh - winning.

(mr. messy)

Hello, my name is Adrian. I am somewhat of a thespian, but I oddly don’t enjoy watching TV shows and movies. I love being involved in dramas, and challenging myself to reach a level of emotion that’s palpable to a viewing audience. However, I don’t typically love watching it. Where I am a super fan is in reality TV. I love the messiness, the games, and the pointless drama. I can’t get enough. Some people might call that toxic. But we should just call those people boring.

(one day I’ll write a children’s book)

Hi, I’m Adrian. A storyteller at heart and a copywriter by trade, I’m driven by a love for adventure. Growing up in Virginia Beach, I found magic in small things—like summer days of pickup basketball and late night jam sessions in empty parking lots. Now, based in Los Angeles, my passion lies in sharing moments that allow us to see more of ourselves in each other—whether that’s the thrill of a new journey or amplifying perspectives that often go unheard.

(kobe!)

I’m Adrian. Athletics have always been a major part of my life, so honestly you don’t know a lot about me if you don’t know that Kobe Bryant is my favorite athlete of all time. What I’ve always loved as an athlete is the guy who can put their team on their back and will the group to victory. That has always been the mark of a relentless winner to me, and is something that I’ve always tried to model my attitude after on the field of play. When picking teams on the playground, I am more than happy with being on the team with all of the worst players because when I will us to victory, everyone will know who the man is.

(so what’s next?)

Hi, I’m Adrian. I’m a man of the people and an adventurer at heart. After I graduated from college, I was met with the reality that most of us are: What’s next? When my best friend told me that he was thinking of moving to Los Angeles, the decision to me was a no-brainer. We packed up as much of our belongings into his car as we could, and set off on a trip across the country to a place we’d never been before. We descended upon a foreign land with no job and no idea what was in store. Truthfully, I look back on this as one of the greatest decisions of my life. Or craziest— same thing.