Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavier Carrington.
Hi Xavier, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Xavier Carrington AKA “Big PlayZay” — The Renaissance Man Story
Xavier Carrington, known to many as Big PlayZay, is the modern embodiment of a Renaissance Man — a creator who moves seamlessly between art, education, entrepreneurship, media, and community leadership.
Raised between Bluefield, West Virginia and Macon, Georgia, Xavier learned early the value of grit, creativity, and hustle. As a scholar-athlete at Valdosta State University, he balanced discipline on the field with artistic expression, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, then later a Master’s in Animation & Special Effects from Lynn University. That blend of athletics and artistry became the foundation of his multidimensional career.
Today, Xavier serves as a Multimedia Specialist and Professor at North Carolina A&T State University, where for nearly two decades he has empowered students and faculty through digital innovation, creative technologies, and storytelling. His classrooms and campus initiatives bridge real-world production with future-ready skills — shaping the next generation of creators and leaders.
Beyond academia, Big PlayZay is a thriving creative entrepreneur, tattoo artist, and visual artist whose work lives across murals, apparel, branding, digital media, and body art. Through ventures like XRC Graphics, Balanced Behavior Podcast, Points Podcast, and multiple lifestyle brands, he builds experiences that fuse culture, marketing, art, and community impact.
One of his most celebrated public works is the completion of the Bob McAdoo Basketball Court Mural at Benbow Park, a large-scale community art project honoring the NBA legend and Greensboro icon — blending sports heritage, visual storytelling, and neighborhood pride into a permanent cultural landmark.
At his core, Xavier is a husband, father, mentor, coach, and community builder. He coaches youth sports, mentors emerging creatives, curates experiential events, and champions Black wellness, entrepreneurship, and storytelling. His work reflects a belief that success isn’t just personal — it’s communal.
Big PlayZay isn’t confined to one lane — he’s the proof that creativity is a lifestyle, leadership is service, and legacy is built by showing up fully in every space you touch.
That’s the Renaissance Man.
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?
Not at all — the road definitely hasn’t been smooth. Like most creatives and entrepreneurs, my journey has been full of pivots, sacrifices, and moments of uncertainty. Balancing multiple lanes — being an artist, educator, entrepreneur, husband, father, and community leader — means constantly managing time, energy, and expectations. There were seasons where I had more vision than resources, more ideas than capital, and more passion than sleep.
Early on, one of the biggest struggles was learning how to bet on myself consistently while still providing stability for my family. Taking creative risks while maintaining responsibility isn’t glamorous — it’s late nights, missed comfort, and a lot of trial and error. I’ve also had to navigate being a Black creative in spaces where your value isn’t always immediately recognized or properly compensated, which taught me how to advocate for my worth and protect my intellectual property.
Another challenge was overcoming the fear of being “too many things.” Society often tells you to pick one lane, but I’ve always been wired to build across multiple disciplines. It took time to realize that being multifaceted wasn’t a weakness — it was my competitive advantage. Once I embraced that, everything started aligning.
There were also physical and mental stretches of burnout — running projects, teaching full-time, coaching, creating art, producing content, and showing up for family can stretch you thin if you’re not intentional about rest and boundaries. Learning sustainability, delegation, and self-care became just as important as grinding.
Every struggle sharpened my discipline, strengthened my faith in the process, and clarified my purpose. None of the obstacles stopped the mission — they refined it. The journey taught me resilience, patience, and how to build legacy instead of just chasing moments.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I’m a multidisciplinary creative, educator, and entrepreneur. I specialize in visual storytelling — taking ideas and turning them into experiences that people can see, feel, and connect with. That shows up through graphic design, murals, tattoo art, digital media, content creation, branding, and experiential marketing, as well as through teaching and mentorship.
Professionally, I’m known for being someone who can bridge creativity and strategy. I don’t just make things look good — I help people, brands, and institutions communicate clearly, authentically, and culturally. Whether it’s a campus initiative, a community mural, a podcast, a live event, or a personal brand, I focus on storytelling that has purpose and impact.
I’m also known as an educator and mentor. As a professor and multimedia specialist at North Carolina A&T State University, I take pride in preparing students for the real world — not just technically, but mentally and creatively. Helping young creatives see what’s possible for themselves is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.
What I’m most proud of is the legacy work — projects that live beyond me. Completing the Bob McAdoo Basketball Court Mural is a perfect example. It wasn’t just art; it was history, culture, and community pride cemented into a public space. I’m also proud of building platforms like Balanced Behavior, the Points Podcast, and multiple creative ventures while still being present as a husband, father, coach, and community leader.
What sets me apart is that I don’t operate in silos. I move fluidly between art, education, business, and community, and I understand how they strengthen each other. I’ve learned how to build sustainably, collaborate authentically, and lead with intention. I don’t chase trends — I build ecosystems.
I’m not just creating content or visuals — I’m building culture, creating opportunities, and leaving a blueprint for the next generation to do the same.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is family, purpose, and impact. Everything I build — creatively, professionally, and personally — starts with making sure I’m present for my wife and children, leading by example, and creating a legacy they can be proud of. Success doesn’t mean much if the people you love don’t feel supported, protected, and inspired by how you live.
Purpose matters just as much as progress. I want the work I create to mean something — to empower people, open doors, tell authentic stories, and create opportunities where they didn’t exist before. Whether I’m teaching students, mentoring young creatives, coaching youth sports, creating art in the community, or building brands, the goal is always impact over ego.
I also care deeply about community and representation. Showing what a healthy Black man looks like — emotionally grounded, creatively driven, family-centered, and community-minded — matters to me. I want people to see that you can be multidimensional, successful, loving, disciplined, and still stay connected to your roots and your people.
At the end of the day, what matters most is leaving people better than I found them and building something that lasts beyond me.
Pricing:
- Custom Shirt Design $65
- Commission Art Starting $350
- Mural Quote Starting at $650
- Tattoos Starting at $125
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xaviercarrington.com
- Instagram: @bigplayzay
- Facebook: Xavier Carrington
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancedbehavior1
Image Credits
Taylor made Arial Photography
