Christopher Hicks, one of the industry’s most successful executives, is known for his creativity, Innovation and his ability to re-invent things.
Hicks has made stellar strides throughout the years with his ability to identify the needs of an artist and organization and help bring them to life. Chris currently serves as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment for the City of Atlanta, Principle of DSRPT-Media, an ideation production company, and CEO of Noontime Publishing.
How would you describe your Fatherhood culture?
My mom raised us to respectfully speak our mind and I am doing the same with my son. Just because I am the parent it doesn’t make me right. I’ve instilled so much into him I’ve found that he is an amazing person to actually learn from.
As a father and a life coach, describe your playbook.
I want him to understand the world we live in its truest sense, no matter how harsh or kind it can be. Some things are what the are and I’d prefer him to learn them around me so I can be an objective sounding board for him.
Which fatherhood experiences have taught you the most about yourself?
I have developed a tremendous amount of patience. And I have a great kid!! But he has always been inquisitive and will pound me with sound questions. That took some adjusting, as I couldn’t divert or ignore him.
Name one life lesson that no one taught you, but should have.
I am the “first generation” a lot of things in my family. So I’ve had to learn about corporate America, politics, and finance on my own. My mom always said, “Ain’t no sense like bought sense.”
How important is keeping your word?
EVERYTHING. It’s the truest representation of my character.
What advice would you give on being responsible for your own dreams?
1. No one owes you anything so if you want it you have to MAKE a way to obtain it.
2. The game is rigged. Create relationships with peers and mentors that share your vision in order to move toward your goals.
3. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Finish the sentence: Never give up on yourself because …
…at the end of it all, the only person you can count on all the time, is you.
How does following your spiritual values help you in life?
It’s the one thing that allows me to sleep comfortably at night understanding that regardless of how I feel I have to follow my spiritual inclination. I believe in God and karma equally.
Share one of your fondest memories you’ve experienced with your father.
I don’t have many memories with my father, but one thing that surely sticks out is him introducing me to basketball. As I got older he’d take me to play pickup games in Washington DC during the summer. It was some of the only time we spent with one another one on one. It will stay with me forever.
Twitter and IG: @chrishicks_
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