Today we’d like to introduce you to Alphonso A’Qen-Aten Jackson.
Alphonso A’Qen-Aten, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a father of two by way of Bridgeport, CT… if I were the type of person to take no for an answer, I wouldn’t be here.
Back in Connecticut in 2008, my employer decided that in 2009 they would centralize all of their North American operations to Atlanta, which meant job cuts. Initially, I was not one of the employees selected to relocate.
What that depths of that moment presented me with, was an opportunity to prove my worth. I began to put everything into my job performance & before I could get the chance to write to HR & explain why I was an employee that they needed to consider relocating to Atlanta, they came to me & extended me a relocation opportunity!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To be completely honest, at this stage in my life I’ve become accustomed to being skeptical of any path that is challenge free.
My journey has definitely been a bumpy one, I’ve been homeless, I’ve had troubles my share of issues with the law, and now my multi-tasking skills are being put to the test with a variety of priorities & responsibilities. At the top of that list is fatherhood, being a single father with my 17-year-old daughter living with me.
Struggles are what truly define you. You find out what you’re made of when your back is against the wall!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As an actor, your job is to explore various personality traits. Some of these traits may be similar to who you are, but then there are others that are the total opposite of who you are.
I believe those experience offer you a different appreciation of the complexity of humanity… because, in order to be successful as an actor, you have to see life through all of your character’s eyes.
So with that, my focus is to continue sharpening that acting tool within me. I’m proud of all the characters I’ve been blessed to portray thus far & I look forward to presenting more complex characters in the very near furture!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of the memories from childhood that I can now say I am fond of, was seeing my mother glow with accomplishment when she was able to finally move us out of the projects.
My mother was a single parent raising me & my sister at the time & she worked the 3rd shift as a CNA to make ends meet. Even as a child, I could see the sacrifices my mother had to make for my sister & I. So gratification might not even be a strong enough word to express the emotion associated with that achievement!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aqenaten.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/aqenaten/?hl=en - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/AQenAten - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
aqenaten?lang=en - Other: https://www.imdb.com/
name/nm2502156/
Image Credit:
Avery Scott (Blue button down & black leather coat), Ashiah Jackson (Chain struggle & Get the strap/How not to get shot)
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