Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Greg Lewis of Douglasville, Georgia

We recently had the chance to connect with Greg Lewis and have shared our conversation below.

Greg , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I would say very busy and very productive. With having my own magazine business I’ve realized that I have to be able to do a lot more than just write and edit stories. I’m sort of my own team… therefore, I’m learning how to do photography, be a creative director, do graphics and photo designs and much more. It makes my normal day-to-day very busy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Greg Lewis, Editor and Chief of Slums Magazine. A black owned magazine specializing in branding and promotions.

This publication is geared towards hip-hop and pop culture and provides a space for artists to share their stories and past experiences with the world.

I’ve studied mass communication with an emphasis in print editorial during my undergrad years at Bethune Cookman University.

Since then, I’ve relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where I have continued to expand my brand, pushing the publication to new height’s.

I’m also a journalist over at PopOut Magazine in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve been getting mentored by Casey Diggs & Cedric Washington.

They have exposed me to A-List celebrity clients and private events all around the city of Atlanta. With this new access, I’ve been able to network on a whole new level as a writer.

Slums Magazine sticks out as a competitor brand because it’s made for the people. It’s made for the guy and the girl next door who’s dreaming about a better life.

The motto at Slums is “It’s not about where you’re from, it’s about where you’re going!”

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up I thought there were limits to how far you could go. I grew up in a small family where my parents or siblings didn’t have much access or resources to anything.

I am a first generation college student and the first person to graduate with my college degree in my family.

My family is very loving and supportive. However, they aren’t the most adventurous and outgoing.

I taught myself that it’s so much more to life and there’s absolutely no limits to how far I can go.

Since then I’ve been traveling the world.

I’ve been to Texas, New York, Los Angeles and even Alaska in search of who I really am and to reach my full potential.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There’s been several times I’ve wanted to give up. I wasn’t born into wealth and I grew up in a household with people who worked for the business, not the owners of the business.

Life has given me many reasons to quit and give up, but I’m not going to.

I have something to prove, I have people who believe in me and for what it’s worth, I believe in me.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Social media is a tricky thing… everything is coated in luxury and glam. However, the public perception of me is the real me.

I’m naturally a socialite and the life of the party and I’ve always had an outgoing and infectious personality.

I try to be as genuine and authentic as I can.

I plan on going far and becoming very well known in the public eye and it’ll be very hard to hide the real me in the spotlight, so why not show it now?

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I’m actually doing that now.

Owning a small business is depressing at times. You realize how much support you actually don’t have.

You get discouraged because you aren’t getting enough likes on social media and no one is purchasing your products.

I had a friend tell me once, “I’m surprised you’re still doing your magazine because you don’t get that many likes.”

Although she was right, I’ll never stop doing what I love. I constantly keep investing into my brand and I’m never going to give up on my dreams.

I’m in this for the long run, not a quick come up or a viral moment that will burn out.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_slumsmagazine
• Facebook: @Slumsmagazine
• Youtube: @greglewismedia

Image Credits
Ced Washington
Timothy Rozier