Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Gabbidon.
Hi Trevor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a children’s book author and I also have my own silk durag website getting ready to launch actually in a couple of weeks. Many had no idea but I used to write/journal all through high school and early college days on and off and always thought one day I would write a book but never took it seriously. Fast forward, life came at me fast and I was now 20 years old and my girlfriend at the time became pregnant and gave birth to my beautiful daughter. From that day forward, life was definitely a roller coaster for me, becoming a father does not come with a manual so everything was brand new to me felt like I had training wheels on my bike all over again. Adjusting from being the kid always just going to class, going to the gym and playing games all night quickly had to change because I now had a little me in this world in which she did not ask to be here, so I knew I was going to figure it out quickly. It was love at first sight, thought for sure. July 31st, 2017 my beautiful daughter changed my life forever. She is actually the reason I’ve come so far. I was sitting in my room one night just up for no reason, maybe January of 2022 I just got done reading something and it sparked an idea in my head to start writing my own book, I was not sure what type of book to write though then a couple of days later it hit me that my daughter (four years old) loves to be on her phone or tablet just like my niece but I never see them picking up a book outside of daycare. That is when I had the bright idea to start writing children’s books. I wanted to bring the fun back in reading and my book titled “Daughters grow up so fast” (from a father’s perspective) came to me instantly I wrote that whole book in an hour and 30 minutes. I knew readers would love it because it captures a father’s true love and thoughts for his daughter as he watches her transition into adulthood and become her own person. I am just trying to change the narrative often times society chooses to capture more of the negative viewpoints when it comes to black fathers and I am working to defy the stereotypes around black fatherhood. As for my durag brand, I was always into waves and fashion. I own maybe 30+ durags so I feel like it was just time to finally create my own and bring a different style into the durag culture. In due time everybody will be wearing a durag from “Silk Ciity” my brand name. Not too many people have a true love for durags like I do. You probably never heard anybody trying to give you a durag history lesson but i am here to teach it. Durags are used to tie down your hair but it also can be used to make a fashion statement and that is what I plan on doing. One of the cool things I like about them is the fact that everybody could have on the same durag and still look completely different wearing it because we all have a different swag to us.
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?
It definitely was not a smooth road, I lost my grandad in 2017 a major father figure to me so from there on life was always up and down because if anybody knows when you lose someone close to you that sadness will hit you at any moment at the most random times, still till this day I get sad and even break down and cry sometimes just because I know he is happy watching me from above but I wish he was here physically to enjoy all my accomplishments with me. Aside from life’s everyday struggles and me second guessing everything I would always just be hard on myself feeling like I was not doing enough and often times saw myself watching former classmates happy as can be for them but upset at myself that I was not doing some of the things they were doing. Becoming a father, trying to balance school, work, and alone time was also a constant struggle in the beginning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Okay so right now at the moment I work at a black-owned restaurant “Table 25” great food, awesome people and good vibes you all should check it out. I am a full-time children’s book author and entrepreneur getting ready to launch my website for my silk durags (bonnets later as well). I’d like to say I’m known for always smiling literally anybody will tell you and ask me “Trev why you always smiling, what’s so funny today” etc I’m literally almost in a good mood all the time. I like talking to people and people like talking to me often times we all misjudge each other before taking the time to actually get to know one another. I am probably also known as the guy with a whole bunch of fitted hats and graphic T-shirts I like to collect those, kinda became a hobby for me over the years since I like to dress. I could also be known for always being busy doing something because while I am doing all these things, I am also in college for nursing. I can honestly say I am most proud of my first children’s book “Daughters grow up so fast” (From a father’s perspective) because it is dedicated to my daughter and one day I am going to die but the book will live on forever and she will always truly know how her daddy felt about her because I poured out true feelings into that book. That book was literally made because of her, without her there would be no book. I think what sets me apart from others is my willingness to keep going no matter what life throws at me, there have been plenty of moments where life got tough but I never quit, never placed the blame on anybody, always held myself to a high standard and fast forward it got me here today.
What’s next?
My plans are to become one of the best children’s book authors, finish nursing school and eventually open up my own nursing home and change the durag world with my unique designs. I look forward to seeing how my life will look in five years I often get overwhelmed but super excited when I think about the future. I thank God every day for creating me and how he did allow me to think outside the box.
Pricing:
- My book at the moment is currently out exclusively on amazon for $13.99 but I sell on hand for $14 and it comes with bookmark and a sweet individualized message inside/ signed by me
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Main page: trigga_trevvvy., Author page: trevor_theauthor. silk, Durag page: itssilkciity_
- Facebook: Trevor Kidd
- Twitter: main: trigga__trev, Author: Trev_Theauthor
