Meet CJ Stewart | Artist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with CJ Stewart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CJ, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
This is a meaty question and the answer is subject to change as life goes on… but right now, I see the end goal in my life being to change as many people’s lives as possible and to be a positive force to the universe. Whenever someone hears one of my alias’ I want them to be able to be inspired, to smile and to say, he was one of the most selfless and iconic human’s that touched the earth. Professionally I want to be at a place where I am giving opportunities and creating them through art, no matter what it is. I want to be at a place where my generations after me are taking care of, and I want to be one of the best at what I do. “The greatest” is what my role model, Muhammad Ali would say. Ultimately though, I just want to be creating impactful things that will affect the entire universe.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a storyteller, and actor if you will but I mostly classify myself as an artist because I’m into many things. I really listened to God and he brought me here. I’ve been dancing and singing since I was in diapers, things changed when I got into football but before I graduated high school God put people in my life to remind me of what I’m on this earth to do, and so, I went to PVAMU, a Historically Black College University, which changed my life. I studied theatre in undergrad, and then moved to England for 2 years and studied to get my MFA in acting. It was a very challenging road. Nothing worth pursuing comes easy. I prayed to overcome challenges, and I also just learned to believe in myself and to not give up. Perseverance is apart of the journey. You gotta keep going no matter how tough it gets. I am most proud of how far I’ve gotten so far, knowing I still got a ways to go, but this journey is exciting. I can see my future, I know I’ll be a force in this world. I want the world to know that, right now, I’m always reflecting on a quote the late great August Wilson said in his play ‘The Piano Lesson,’ “If the train stay on the track.. it’s goin’ to get where it’s going.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmm, well if we were day drinking I’d take them uptown, or to the highlands in Arlington. At night we’d most likely go to the spots in Deep Ellum, we’d hang out in North Arlington where Six Flags is and all of the other event places, and to eat, you can’t go wrong with Rudy’s Chicken in Oakcliff or Catfish floyd’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to many folk who have impacted my life, and most of them are Black Women, cause it’s Black women which is the reason I’ve come so far, So first off to GOD, to my mom, my granny, my aunts, Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott, Regina King, Jackee Harry, Stephanie Girolamo, Edward Magana, Elgin Charles, Quinn Jenkins and Uncle Jimmy… Prairie View A&M University, I say thank thank thank you so much. I for sure wouldn’t be here without you.

Website: https://www.midasvisuals.com/

Instagram: @TheAmazingCstew, @MidasVisuals_

Twitter: @Cjdstewart

Image Credits
Camilla Frontain, & Myself