Meet Daryle Kennedy Edwards

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daryle Kennedy Edwards.

Daryle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am from Dallas, Texas. I graduated from Hampton University in Hampton Virginia where I received my bachelor of arts in Journalism. After my first year of college, I knew I didn’t want to be a journalist but I wanted to get back into creative writing and film, and immediately after graduating, I moved to Atlanta to begin my career. God took me on a different route than I had expected. I first began working with former Roc Nation employee Joy Young where I was an assistant and photographer for the music group Hamilton Park. Six months later, my life really began. I met musical composer Elvin Ross and musical director Ronnie Garrett who are now my current boss/employer and are also two profound composers and music directors in the film/theatre world but are mainly connected with Tyler Perry. I work as their executive assistant and in the seven months I have been working for them, I have organized musical and acting masterclasses managed to work alongside Tony Conway and other renowned professionals to organize the grand opening of Mr. Perry’s studio in October. I have organized many musical events working with Monica, Tevin Cambell, Phillip Bailey, and many others.

Post- Covid-19, we were in the process of pre-production of film that has been written by Mr. Elvin Ross. I was also partnering with Dr. Lana Joseph-Ford to begin a youth writing program within schools in the greater Atlanta area. Where students with mental and psychological disorders such as; depression and anxiety.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road. Post-graduation depression is a very real thing. Although I have struggled with anxiety since the age of 13, lost my father suddenly at the age 17, and went to a college in a state that I had never been to and had absolutely no friends or family, true depression did not hit until I graduated college and had to experience true adulthood. The first few months were spent finding a job, debating whether I wanted to continue pursuing my creative talents or bite my lip and move back home to Dallas but I knew that meant giving up. There have been times where I have had negative balances in my account and having to commute an hour to job interviews but not having enough for gas. Although I was always blessed with a family to return to and a roof over my head, the battle that happens mentally is a different beast.

Tell us about your work – what should we know?
Working out of Areu Brothers Studios with Elvin Ross and Ronnie Garrett, I am known as the executive assistant. When they need something done, I am the one to get it done for them. Although I do not own a company, I will very soon. I am a creator, I write short stories, scripts, and poems and I learned at a very young age that this was an outlet for my anxiety. My family at the time did not believe in therapy or psychologist so it was up to me to find my own outlets. In college, I started to dig deeper into the idea of the Youth Writing Program my centering my entire senior project around it. I visited high schools in the Hampton, VA area to gather more research and found the information from counselors and educational professionals to be helpful. Post Covid-19, I began to connect with Dr. Lana Joseph who owns the Hearing and Speech Clinics in New Orleans as well as creates special hearing pieces (hearing aids) for musicians and students. Considering Dr. Joseph works in the school systems and with students, she is exposed to all types of children and has accepted my program idea and intends to help me kick it off the ground.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I contribute my up and coming success to my mentors even if they do not know they are my mentors. Elvin Ross who took a chance on me and has taught me more things in seven months than I learned in my 3.5 years in college (graduated a semester early btw.) Dr. Lana Joseph who I have known for a short period of time has managed to challenge my brain and my love for starting the program in ways I have not thought of. My friends are a huge part of my happiness and the reason why I continue to move on. I want to be great so I can bring them along the ride with me.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 3058154487
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdaryle/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daryle.Kennedy

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.