Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyrone Baker Jr.
Hi Tyrone, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We will start at the beginning. I grew up in the small city of St. Augustine, FL with both parents and five siblings. Growing up, we were very poor and we always lived in predominantly white lower-class neighborhoods. So the white kids always made fun of me, and the black kids said I wasn’t black enough to hang with them. For a long time, I let hate and anger fuel me until I found sports and film in high school. From that point, I promised myself to grind and never put myself in the position I was in growing up. I wasn’t the best student in high school, but I graduated high school, did one year of community college, and then received an offer to go to film school in Orlando. I put my head down and worked hard every day to get my bachelor’s in film and television. When I graduated, I moved to NY and started working for a small company in the city. Long story short, I’ve never looked back from that moment.
Fast forward to 2018, I moved to Atlanta for work and life is good, but I still feel this emptiness inside. Then the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, covid hit and I had my fourth knee surgery, and I was in a full-fledged depression. A couple of. My friends kept saying to try out therapy, but as a black man that was shunned upon growing up, so I kept pushing it off. Eventually, I went and the first thing my therapist said was this is a SAFE SPACE and you can say anything you want. That is how The Safe Space Podcast was birthed, I wanted to create a real place where men of color can be 100% authentic without judgment. A lot of times as men, we don’t have outlets to be open without someone saying to man up. Just deal with it. So then you have men walking around like a ticking time bomb, and that anger and hate passes down to each generation. With Safe Space, we talk about real-life issues and work together to come up with a positive solution.
Alright, 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?
This has not been a smooth journey by any means. I was my biggest obstacle at the beginning because of the fear of failing. I pushed this off for almost three years before we filmed the first episode. Every day is a struggle when it’s just you doing it. Posting, marketing, networking, booking talent, and self-funding each recording session while still trying to stay motivated to go motivate other men. The biggest struggle is probably not having the support of my family. When you have a dream that you believe in, you would think that family and friends would naturally support you. I don’t mean financially.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Professionally I’m a Line Producer in the film and television industry. I have always had a passion for film, photography, and just creating in general since I was a little boy. I started off doing the morning news in the 5th grade, and I did that through middle school and high school. As the Line Producer, I oversee the budget and make sure that we come in under budget. I’m proud of a lot of things throughout my life, but professionally I would say being the only one in my family to graduate with a college degree and have a successful business. That may sound so simple, but coming from nothing to something is a big accomplishment.
As a creative, I’m a film photographer, storyteller, and host of The Safe Space Podcast. I’ve always loved creating because it’s a safe zone to be as creative as you want. I get to come up with new worlds without anyone saying what’s right or what’s wrong.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t think luck has played any role. Everything I have is from God, hard work, determination, and the willpower to never give up. My wife and kids are my biggest inspiration. Since the first day we met my life has forever changed and I’m thankful that God brought her into my life. At the end of the day all I want to do is inspire people and young men that look like me and show my boys how to make a difference in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2058261
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.safespacepodcast/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyrone.j.baker/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-baker-jr-757b6a47/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpdRhPjAir7Eri8b4VqiMAQ
- Other: tiktok.com/@the.safespacepodcast
Image Credits
Tre Hamilton
