Actor Sean Ringgold: Benefiting from Hard Work, Patience and God's Timing

by Cyrus Webb

Actor Sean Ringgold is a man that is not afraid of putting in the work, and now he is seeing the results pay off for him in a big way. We first connected in 2019 when he was on the hit show Family Business on BET.

In this conversation we talked about the success, the power of patience and relying on God’s timing in his career and life.

Sean, thanks for the time. We're just going to jump right into it.  What has that been like for you professionally to look at how things are lining up for you?

Oh man. I sometimes pinch myself and say it's all about God's patience and His will. I've also learned God will never give you more than you can handle. Everything that is happening is happening in it's divine order. It's funny: the people that you see in the beginning of your career you'll see through the middle and towards the end of your career. I've learned it's very important to nurture relationships and be respectful and never have that ego. Do the best you can on any job, no matter how small your character is, how medium, how big it starts to get. Have that certain level of humility.  If you do, the doors opening just keep going on and on.

People look at where you are now, Sean, and will say, ‘Wow, look at that.’ But they don't realize what it took to get there. Do you think your appreciation for the process in addition to the patience is kind of what helped you to be where you are today?

I definitely appreciate the process, because it gives me the gratitude for where I'm at. Some people get to a certain place in their career very fast, and they just feel like they got there all on their own. They forget about certain levels of rejection. Everyone has their own journey and their own path.

I just have extreme gratitude, and I'm enjoying the journey. And I love the rejection, because when you start reaping the fruits of your labor, you look back and you just never forget how challenging it was. You never forget. And I try to help motivate and inspire other actors who are coming up to be patient and to work hard and to have rhinoceros’ skin. Do not have thin skin in this business. You have to be able to take everything that comes with it. It's a lot of rejection, but the reward is unbelievable as you continue to keep moving forward.

Let’s talk about the importance of relationships, nurturing those and not burning bridges. Like you said, you never know what's going to happen. How has that lesson served you?

I think a lot of times people don't realize that you treat everyone with respect, because you never know who you're going to meet on this journey. You never know who's going to come back into your life. I would say it served me in an incredible and an incredible way. It's everything. It's probably more than half of my career.

You have to remember something, Cyrus. Everything that you want to obtain in this world is controlled by people. There's a book that changed my life that I read probably when I was about 17 years of age. It was called HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE by Dale Carnegie. That book changed my life. There's another good book called PERSONALITY PLUS. It talks about the different personality types.

Everything that we want to obtain has to do with our interacting with people. It seems like things are becoming more distant now, because we're going through computer screens and having less human interaction. But common courtesy, decency and respect are things that I've learned never to falter from. And it's very important to show everyone, whether it's the janitor, the PA, or people who are on their grind coming up the chain in the entertainment world courtesy, decency and respect.

Stay connected with Sean and what’s to come on Instagram at www.instagram.com/seanringgold.

Morton, Mississippi's Shay Hodge Shares Journey of Family, Football & Faith in Upcoming Book

At 29 year old Vareion Deshay "Shay" Hodge of Morton, MS has accomplished things that many would see as impossible both on and off the football field. Now as a new year begins he is excited to announce that he is writing a book about his experiences and how he made it to where he is and how others can do the same.

“I’m still young and able to see my dreams continue to come true,” says Hodge. “I’ve done a lot in my life already, and though it hasn’t been easy, I want others to know that they can achieve great things regardless of where they are from or what others may think about them.”

Hodge is working with media personality and fellow Mississippian Cyrus Webb (author of WORDS I CHOOSE TO LIVE BY and co-author of 6 children's books) on the project. Webb, host of the radio show Conversations LIVE, has interviewed him in the past on the air and encouraged him to write his story. “What Shay has done is a reminder for all of us regardless of our profession or interest what it takes to be successful,” Webb says. “I’m glad he will be able to share that message in this book.”

Along with covering his career in football that led to Ole Miss University, Hodge will also talk about the challenges he faced growing up, what it was like to overcome obstacles and even how some of his professional ambitions were sidelined due to physical challenges. Ultimately he hopes that by sharing his story people will release that with faith, hard work and dedication you can make it through any circumstances.

“Things might not always turn out the way you want them to,” Hodge says, “but the important thing to realize is that if you keep moving forward you can continue to achieve great things and encourage others to do the same.”

The book is scheduled to be released later this year. Before the release Hodge will be discussing the topics of the book and his life through speaking engagements and interviews. Those looking to book Hodge can reach him at vareion3@gmail.com or at 601.842.6790.

Francine Locke: Finding "Justice" On Her God-Directed Journey

by Cyrus Webb

Some things just seem to happen, but do they really? I know for me there have been instances where it seems as though things were working out so well that it was just meant to me. I've since come to realize that this is what happens when you are able to realize your own limitations and give yourself over to something larger than yourself.

Actress Francine Locke has also found this to be true. As someone who had over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry she has been involved in commercials, industrial films and modeling. Just a couple of months ago, however, she was filming a new project called A Cry For Justice (formerly Georgia Justice) that is slated for release later this year. Her own personal journey has been one of soul searching and reflection, and now she is using her gift in a way that is sure to inspire others.

"I've taken a different step forward in this industry," she told me. "I want to use what I have been given to bring light to a dark environment. I had been modeling and acting for many years, but it was really just to pay the bills." After taking a ten-year break from the business she has returned with a new outlook on her life, her gift and what she can do with it. "Today I want to use what God gave me to show something more positive."

The change that Francine has experience has a lot to do with the person she's become. "When I first started I was in a different place in my life," she explains.. "Right now I am at a different place spiritually. This has led me to accept who I am and what God wanted me to be." When referring to the entertainment world she points out the difference in the perception versus the reality. "It's not the glamour lifestyle that is depicted. It's just work. It's a job." What makes it different for her this time around, though, is her own motive towards that job. "Today the way I feel is that I am finally where I belong."

Francine role in the upcoming film A Cry For Justice is that of Jackie Carpenter, someone who is no stranger to Conversations Magazine or Conversations LIVE radio show. The project is based on Jackie's own journey of faith as outlined in her books THE BRIDGE and GEORGIA JUSTICE. "It has been such a God-directed journey," Francine told me. In fact when Jackie saw Francine her words to her "We've been praying for Jackie to show up, and it's you."

A Cry For Justice was exactly the kind of project that fit where Francine is in her life now. "It's something that I feel like I am completely suited for," she says. "When I read the script I could say that I know the feelings of frustrations of wanting to be in control and having to give it all up to God."

That is what both Francine and I believe viewers of the film will be able to take away from it: how much Jackie's journey of faith is really all of our journey.

With Francine's experiences in the industry has come invaluable advice that she is more than willing to share with others. "I feel so empowered to tell people to do what is good in your heart. You don't have to say yes to everything. It's up to you to  make the right choices. There is a reason why you are put where you are at."

For actors and actresses she share this nugget: "Do all the work you can as long as it is up to your moral standards. The right projects will 'suddenly' show up. You can continue to work in this environment to grow your craft and to grow yourself spiritually."

For more information about Francine visit http://www.francinelocke.com/ . To stay abreast of everything dealing with Georgia Justice visit http://www.acryforjusticemovie.com/.