Story & Lesson Highlights with Keenen Baker of Atlanta

We recently had the chance to connect with Keenen Baker and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Keenen, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that has made me feel proud of myself, has to be when I was approached to build a costume for Kai Cenat by his team. I’ve been building and designing costumes for about eight years now, but I never suspected I’d receive the opportunity to work with a fellow content creator of such status in the industry.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello readers! My name is Keenen Orlando Baker, also known as “Aquarius Taught Me”. I’m an award winning costume builder and content creator. I’ve been into comics, anime, gaming etc. since a very young age but it wasn’t until my mid twenties that I explored the world of cosplay and it’s been one of my most fun and profitable hobbies till this day. I’ve been fortunate to work with many big names, such as Marvel, Kai Cenat (AMP), Warner Bros, Momocon, Dragoncon etc.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My father mostly, may God rest his soul. He was such a pivotal soul in my growth as a man, creator and a hard worker. He encouraged me to be creative, use my imagination and in his own words “put pride into everything you do, even if it’s sweeping a floor”. My father passed in 2021, I miss him greatly and I always carry his teachings and heart with me.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Like a lot of people, it was hard for me to obtain a job straight out of college, Especially coming from a film production background. From 2018-2022 I struggled, working odd jobs in film and media trying to obtain fulltime comfort in my career to no avail. I kept my faith, kept true to my craft and clung to my father’s word’s throughout this difficult journey. It taught me to never take things for granted and to appreciate what you work so hard for, it could all be gone again in an instant. Suffering made me hungrier, I feel that a lot of people get comfortable after obtaining success, and lose that hunger. I refuse to lose that hunger.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is the authentic me. It’s too much work to put on a mask and persona everyday, believe me I’ve tried. I one day made a chose to find myself in my early twenties, and though this wasn’t an easy task, I look back on that journey and truly value the person I’m able to say I am today. My artistic side is flourishing and many people look to me as a beacon of hope and leadership.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m with my girlfriend, sharing time with family or “in my own little bubble” being nerdy with a controller or comic in hand.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquariustaughtme?igsh=MTNvMDQ3emZoZTdhbw==
• Twitter: https://x.com/aquariustaughtm?s=09
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19NJREZWnk/

Image Credits
@aizensings
@finalchase
@zoyoursmilez