Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre DeRamus.
Hi Andre, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I came to Atlanta in 2011 after graduating from Alabama State University in 2010, majoring in music education, I started interning in the entertainment industry and formed my management company, Pivotal with long time friend Joffre Lester, I later landed a job for Gwinnett county public schools to teach music production and music business to all of the high schools in 2012, which is what led to a lot of my career successes.
Working for the school system with kids and being active in the music industry, I started making some great relationships and connections that have helped me advance in my career. Teaching allowed me to teach some of the most talented individuals who would later become household names in the music industry. I have students who are Grammy-nominated, such as John Kadadu, producer Digital Nas, who is also killing the game and working with some of the top artists in the business. I even played a part in Quavo, from the Migos, getting his high school diploma a few years back. After working with such a lot of great talent, my name became known, and I partnered with Industry vet Ray Daniels to help manage acts of his and A&R his artist Theron Thomas of RCity, record label R3/3400.
After ten years with Gwinnett, I started to want my own program that will help kids in the Atlanta area who want to be in the music, photography, and film business, so I created a nonprofit named The Creative Academy. This academy will serve ten students from Atlanta high schools every month on the weekends, who have an interest in the arts, while also teaching them financial literacy and the business! I know what I’ve done for Gwinnett and it’s a community, and now I want to spread the knowledge and most importantly the resources.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the struggles I would say was not being from Atlanta and trying to get your name out there. Atlanta is a very sacred place, so it is definitely careful who they let in and support.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The creative academy is a non-profit program I started to help Atlanta youth get involved in the arts and learn how to be successful in society! This program will give at least 100 students the access and resources to learn and experience the arts industry. What sets me apart is this program is FREE and The success I’ve had with my former high school students.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, I learned that COVID is very serious and how something of its nature can affect our community and economy. Therefore operating a business you need to be able to maneuver to being able to at least operate in some fashion.
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@thecreativeacademyatl.org
- Website: Thecreativeacademyatl.org
- Instagram: Instagram.com/DreDaQ
- Twitter: Twitter.com/dredaq
Image Credits
Shot by @charlieshutterspeed
