HBCU Buzz’s Senior Editor Tommy Meade sits down with Central State University graduate Christian A. Drye (again) for an exclusive interview about HBCU life, the “real world” and black culture.
Christian A. Drye is the founder of Complex Heart, a “movement” in which its logo stands for the real life scenario all people face: trials and hardships and the will to persevere.
Question: What have you been doing since our last interview together?
Answer: I’m working at a school called Bates Academy. During that hiatus I spent a lot of time planning, changing motives, designs, marketing–I needed to feel comfortable again. I created a concept called “Cruelty in a Flower” which displays the pain inside of a person that causes pride to prevent them from excelling. My new mantra is “writing the world fresh” which reflects my author dreams.
Question: Any success out in the market?
Answer: I have had a decent amount of success, it could be way better. By working in a school, it puts restrains on my time and how I have to go about pubbing. After this school year I plan to go to different cities passing out flyers, talking with new supporters, and doing pop-up shops.
Question: How difficult is it being a black businessman, let alone a businessman?
Answer: Being a black businessman can be a challenge. Image is everything, the world really scrutinizes against us Black males. You need a lot of support and encouragement because there will be plenty of times when you feel like giving up the whole dream because things aren’t going how you planned, when you planned. However, don’t quit because if your dream is apart of God’s will, he doesn’t work under time restraints and other limitations. Keep working hard and have faith in not only God but your own ability.
Question: Do you miss the yard?
Answer: I miss the yard of Central State University 100 percent! But it comes a time in your college matriculation where you cannot grow anymore in that environment and you have to graduate and welcome the next milestones. I have visited the campus a hand full of times since graduation in 2011 and I’m actually impressed. To me, everybody seems to be involved in a leadership capacity and everybody seems busy. The new Mr. CSU is amazing as well as his royal court, I am proud to say I went to CSU.
“Since fashion is art, I’m an artist.” — Christian A. Drye
Question: New website and new logo designs: What’s the new direction of Complex Heart?
Answer: I really love my new website and the designs. My website is redesigned and easier to navigate, I wanted to make everything very simple. The world wants you to survive in a box, where you are limited in being alive, and I want the world to know they can knock down the walls of that limitation box. Daily I remember being limited as a child and it caused me to not be myself for years, I’m a late bloomer to the world of creativity.
Question: Black History month recently past. What’s your take on its relevance today?
Answer: I respect Black history month and the efforts of Carter G. Woodson. I think it shows the world how great African Americans are even though we should have the same respect as Caucasians, but that’s another interview. I cant really say if it’s relevant or not at this day of age. I make Black history daily but creating my own lane and uplifting the world just as Black Americans have done for years. Using our brain as a weapon to subdue racial misunderstandings and tension. History was created in African and our ancestors deserve that credit, which won’t be given so I’m going to live to make sure their efforts were not in vain.
Question: Anything else you want to add on?
Answer: Thank you once again for taking the time out for me, I’m very grateful. I would like to thank God for giving me an opportunity to express his knowledge to the world. You can reach me on Twitter. Check out my site www.complex-heart.com.
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