“Mommy, I want to be an actor.” Like so many parents, my reaction was: “Whaaaatttt?” Emotions flooded in. Disbelief, apprehension, fear and hoping that you didn’t hear what your child just said. Let’s be honest most of us dread when a child tells us he or she wants to pursue a career that is so challenging, filled with pitfalls and saturated with so many people that want the same thing. My reaction to my then 12-year-old son’s, Tarik’s, declaration of his career choice was boardline panic.

After a few minutes of reflection, I realized that it was not about me. It had nothing to do with me. It was about his dreams and aspirations. Before he was born, I promised to be his dream enabler and not to stifle his song. There are lots of young black men in the grave and in jail not living their dreams. Here it is, a dream that I didn’t expect. But one he wanted and I decided to support him in living.

To validate that it truly was his dream I told him to do some research. Find out about it, what it takes to become and actor? Where can he go to practice? What does it cost? How will it fit in my schedule to be able to support him getting back and forth? Within a week he gave me his report. It was thorough. I waited a month to see if his desire would lessen. It didn’t. His wings were beginning to stretch out for flight.

This began his journey into the acting world. He rehearsed lines, had doubts, disappointments, didn’t get some call backs, got small parts, but he never quit. He refused to give up. He won acting awards in high school. He also fulfilled my request that he finished college. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.85 from the University of Miami. Then he told me he was of to Los Angeles. Even now it hasn’t been easy. He had to get a job as a waiter to accommodate the schedule of auditions, acting classes, etc. He is flapping his wings. They are getting stronger.

He called me one day and said: “Mom, I am writing screenplays. I’m going to create some movies with my friends. Beldy (his friend from UM) is partnering up with me.” I was impressed with his Chutzpah. Instead of waiting for circumstances to come his way, he decided to make his own circumstances. He connected with others in the same situation and they began to create mini movies. Here is the first one Tarik wrote and directed with Beldy working on camera and editing. He is spreading his wings wider to be able to soar higher to new LEVELS.

It is said it takes a Village to raise a child. My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you that have already shared and send words of encouragement. Watch him in action. He is in the black and white top. Please share this with others; if you enjoyed watching it.