Tell me about your vision and this all.
My vision.
Man, my vision is just,
that's a big thing.
I want to, you know, live to inspire, live to serve.
You know, I have a heart for people
and I want to not just make my dreams come true,
but make other people's dreams come true.
Like with this show, we want to shine a light
on other dancers, on their struggles,
on what they had to overcome.
So, you know, when I was first starting out,
yeah, I wanted the fame and all that.
And it was pretty selfish, you know?
And I had to, man, I had to hit rock bottom
and I had to really discover who I truly was.
Like I had to discover God.
And, you know, in those moments, in those dark moments,
I really came to face-to-face with that ego,
that false, you know, identity.
And, you know, the reason why I wanted to shine
or I wanted their recognition was,
it was coming from a place of insecurity
or a place to say, yeah, I did this,
like, you know, to put it in like whoever's face,
like my haters' faces.
But now I live for a greater purpose.
Now it's because like, this is my passion.
This is my, you know, this is my dream.
It's not just for someone's recognition
or their attention, you know?
So my vision is to basically inspire others, you know,
having people that don't come from like, you know,
really good upbringings, people that don't come from,
you know, come from bad circumstances
and showing them that your circumstances
don't hold you back.
You know, it's truly yourself, you know, in your mindset.
So that's why I wanted to show people.
And yeah, be a voice for those that don't have a voice.
You know?
Yeah.
And you know, when you were speaking
about how you were trained,
you were really trained just by your movement, right?
And the lifestyle that you came from and got through.
Whereas other people get it on the,
from the training on the front end, right?
That's a part of their structure in their home.
Hey, I'm gonna take you to dance class.
Hey, this is this time.
And there's that structure in their lives.
And so when you say you want to,
it went from a selfishness to a helping everyone
and then realizing that there are some people out there
that it is more of a selfish thing,
but yet you can be free in this
and you can experience the same thing I did.
So it's almost like them reversing what you've done
in your life and you get an opportunity
to show them by your experience.
I think that's amazing.
I love that.
Bless you.
I love that.
And so what about positive pathways?
This is a collaborative kind of business?
No, no.
So this is something that is solely myself.
You know, it came to mind when I was starting my podcast
and it came as like, it was like a,
it came during my rebirth.
You know, I had almost died in a car accident,
what, 2021 and you know, mid 2021, 2022,
beginning of 2022,
I went through a time of like silence and solitude,
I would call it and just, you know,
really seeking, you know, seeking what is next, you know,
what is my next?
And that's what came about positive pathways.
And that's the name of my podcast.
And also it doesn't just stop there.
It extends to, you know, extends to whatever, you know,
all the things that I'm doing within the fashion world,
within television, film, you know,
there, once I started discovering who I was,
like people would use to put labels on me,
oh, I'm known for dancing, so he's a dancer.
And I'm like, I have all these other gifts
and all these other desires and passions within me.
So no, I'm not just a dancer.
I'm not just going to stop there.
And I feel like that's also why I also want to show people
that there is no limits.
There's only the limits that you put on yourself.
So, you know, that media, this media company,
Positive Pathways is basically finding that pathway
for yourself, you know, regardless of what's happening
around you, regardless of the negative circumstances,
or even the negative people that, you know,
you're in connection with, you could find
that positive pathway for yourself.
I love that.
I love it.
And you know, I'm going to share something.
I'm sure they're going to chop this off,
but I want to share it with you
because we have a connection.
I got into a really bad car accident in 2021 myself.
Changed my entire, I have goosebumps, Kareem,
changed my entire life.
And it was with my two younger girls.
From that day forward, Kareem, my life was,
I mean, I'm telling you, you talk about trying
to find God, say, hey, you know, I knew him,
but oh, I know him, know him after that.
And I'm like, okay, if you saved me now,
I know that you were realer than the realest ever.
And if I have no one here on the face of this earth,
I know who protected me.
So I tell you, when you said that, I was like,
oh my goodness, you know, and I haven't been the same since.
Yeah, yeah, I agree.
And I wasn't a bad person then,
but oh, you can't tell me nothing now
because just because I know who saved me,
oh, everything else is a positive pathway
because what we turned, what was negative for us, Kareem,
oh, and they cannot tell us that we are not a child of God
nor will we not make it, get through it and see through it.
We have been through something so, so, so challenging
and difficult that if we can come in 2024 right now
and come together and say that we got this,
Kareem, we got this, no matter what we got this,
you got this and continue to do exactly what you're doing
because he didn't save us to not do something with us.
He said he'll never leave us nor forsake us.
And so because of that moment that he said
you still have work to do, that's exactly why
we are where we are.
So I commend you, I share that same moment with you
and I'm excited for what you do from this point on.
And I never knew that we would make-
Big waters.
I never knew we would make this connection
or how that would be, but one thing you said
about your dance is that they put a label on you
and that's interesting enough
that when the world puts a label on you,
you now have to redefine yourself like, okay, I did that,
but I do so much more.
So I love that you decided to go in
and put positive pathways in that
and be able to share this story and other stories
and to help people get to where you are right now.
How often do you do your podcast?
So I haven't done my podcast since April.
Yeah, I've been busy with other projects,
busy with modeling, busy with acting.
So that kind of like, you know, switched my focus.
I wanna get back to it, I wanna get back to the show
and getting those stories out there, you know,
and also getting my testimony out there
because that's what I was doing with the first episodes.
I was basically talking about my testimony
and how I was able to, like you said, redefine myself,
but also evolve and grow and, you know,
really just rewrite my story with God.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, and then I had, you know,
I had an author on there, I had a doctor,
you know, I just wanna get different people's stories
that have made it through the fire,
people that are ahead of me, you know what I mean?
And I feel like it's a learning experience as well too,
you know, so yes.
And it's interesting because when I came to be
where I'm at right now, which is a co-host of a podcast,
I'm a real estate agent, full-time real estate agent first,
and then I went to this networking event
because I believe that people are amazing.
I love people and I, because much like yourself,
your name is unique as well as mine,
I'm like, I have to get out there and, you know,
show my face and just talk to people,
sort of marry social media with who I am in the world, right?
Which means that you see me on social media,
I'm that same person as I am in real life.
With that being said, out of nowhere,
someone asked me to be a co-host and it's Jackson,
and I was like, what?
So I say that, I say all of that to say is that yes,
you haven't done one since April, get back to it.
There is so many people that need to hear this story
and to share this story because you would have never known
that I was in the same year around, you know,
going through the same thing.
And it's interesting because I too wanna share that story.
So when you get back to it, let me know
so I can come on there.
Yeah, I just talked to you, no worries.
No worries.
Oh, thanks, what's up old man, what happened?
Yeah, it's okay, I went ahead and I paused it
that way there wouldn't be this break in complete silence.
But yeah, I want you to get started
because there's so many people that need to hear this story
and what a great name that is to actually,
and just a random statement, Kareem,
when you put it on the next time,
you put rhythm, addict TV and positive pathways
because that's exactly how it just went, right?
Because you did something and made it even more.
I'm so excited for you.
So where are you from?
Where are you at?
Yes, so I'm originally from Fall River, Massachusetts.
It's a little town in Massachusetts.
And then I moved to New York City at the age of 18.
I made a name for myself there.
And then God had me move back to Massachusetts.
Rhode Island is where he kind of like,
I wanna say catapult me, but expanded my brand.
So in Rhode Island is where I was living.
And I'm in Massachusetts currently moving to Texas
on next year, so.
What, where are you going?
I'm going to Katie.
Okay, so we're not too far.
I'm in San Antonio, Texas.
That's about two and a half, three hours away.
Okay.
Yes, yes, so why Texas?
I'm telling, just the signs,
the signs I've been getting,
God told me to move to Texas.
I don't know why either.
My plan was, Cali,
and I was looking at places in Atlanta.
So it was between those two.
And then I just heard Texas
and I got confirmation after confirmation.
And from what I hear,
a lot of actors actually are moving to Texas.
And I had a couple of interviews with like some agencies,
talent agencies out there, so, yeah, so.
You know, I'm gonna sort of blow your mind.
I'm not from San Antonio, Texas.
I'm originally from Denver, Colorado.
Oh, wow.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I've been here for a very long time,
but this will never be home.
Colorado is home.
I just, I reside here because God sent me here.
And I'll never forget that in, I think it's 2004.
I said, God, if you give me a career, I'll go, right?
You give me a career, I'll go.
And then in 2002, I was working for this gentleman.
The business stopped.
I was an organ tissue and eye coordinator.
And so they were based out of California.
They closed it down.
And then the director said, when I make it big,
I'll find you.
Kareem, in 2006, because of my 2004 statement,
that God, if you just give me a career, I'll go.
2006, he contacted me.
We actually seen him in Colorado.
He was living in Texas.
He made it big, sent for me two weeks later.
Two weeks later, I went back home.
Two weeks later, I came back here
and I haven't left for 18 years.
Wow.
So if you don't have a sign now,
I tell you when he said, when God says move,
you move just like that.
Delayed obedience is no different from disobedience.
So I love the fact that you're being obedient
about what he's telling you to do.
I don't know.
They don't want it to happen.
But I tell you, I'm only, and this is,
like I said, when I spoke with you first,
this is just definitely organic.
This is me to know the person behind that.
Because like you said, people do put labels on you.
And we tend to believe that it's our paths that we create,
but it's not us, right?
If we have a higher power, then we follow that.
And as I was mentioning, when God said move,
it took me about two weeks and I've been here for 18 years,
Kareem.
And it's crazy because I don't know why.
I thought it was a transitional city, but it's not.
I've ended up with two degrees, a marriage, two extra kids.
Like my life flourished when I chose to follow
what was truly God's design, right?
And I'd been trying my hardest to get out of here, Kareem.
I don't know why, just to think, you know, hey,
there's something more, but obviously it's not
where I'm supposed to be.
So I look forward to your transition to Texas.
I look forward to your story because I tell you,
I can see so many things happening.
As I mentioned, I've often told people
that delayed obedience is no different from disobedience.
Yes, yes.
And so now that you will be obedient in what you hear
and what you know, you know, and everything is rough, right?
You always have these ups and downs.
So I can tell you that when you choose to do it,
it's gonna be exceptional, exceptional.
So when you get to Texas, what's the vision for there?
Okay, so yeah, the vision, you know, hopefully God willing,
I'll be signed to a few agencies.
I'm already signed to a couple of agencies over here.
So yeah, that's the goal to be signed
to a few agencies over there.
Also the Lord is moving me into areas of financing,
day trading.
So I'm connected with someone that's, you know,
that resides in Texas and he does day trading.
So God's gonna be moving me.
And he's solely transitioning me into that field
to be a kingdom financier for the kingdom.
So I've always had, you know, just like spoken over me
about entrepreneurship that I was meant to be
the first entrepreneur of my family.
And God literally took me out of my job,
which was called Step in Stone, Step in Stone Inc.
Yes.
Step in Stone Inc and I was there for three years
and I, man, I learned so much.
I just became, you know, I learned about leadership.
I learned about, you know, just communication.
And I've learned about also being humble and humility
because before that job, I was not, I was not humble.
So, you know, being there taught me a lot.
It was like a preparation for where I am,
where God is taking me now and where I'm at now.
And I'll never forget this pastor came in
and he was just volunteering at the place I was working at.
And he says, yeah, I don't see you here much longer.
This is just to stop on the train track.
And yeah, God's called you to be entrepreneur.
And he wasn't the first one that has said that.
So, you know, entrepreneurship is a scary thing
because you're, you know,
you don't know when your next paycheck is coming
or, you know, or who your next client is going to be.
Or so it's just been a true act of, you know,
just faith, you know, trust.
So I'm like, I know that this is the path
that has been called for.
This is the path, this is what I've been called to.
This is the path that I've been called to.
So yeah, I'm just-
I love that.
Well, I must ask, and it's going to be a very crazy question.
Are you scared?
I'm not scared, no.
Nice.
That's how you know it's all God, it's all good.
I love it.
So, Kareem, you-
I'm excited, I'm ready.
Yes, you should be, that's what's up.
And you know, what's interesting,
as I go into real estate and everything else,
God called me to be a motivational speaker.
I just don't know how to get there, you know?
And I think that that's the-
and I keep hearing it and hearing it and hearing it.
And I even hear it in you.
And I wonder, is that like, okay, what's going on?
You know, God gives you signs everywhere.
So you, Kareem, are a podcaster, you are a model,
you are a dancer, you are a producer,
you are all of these things.
And of course, someone like myself and the audience
would say that you are successful.
What is success to you?
Wow, that's a really great question.
Success to me, it's not the accolades,
it's not the money, it's not the recognition.
It's truly doing what you love.
It's truly, success would be truly living out your purpose,
truly doing what you was created to do
and not allowing society to limit you,
not allowing society to dictate to you what success is.
Because some people are like, oh, just,
you don't have this car or you don't have this house,
you're not successful.
No, because I remember it said in the Bible, Joseph,
and I relate to Joseph so much in so many ways.
I was, I had family that were, try to put me down
and try to make me feel a way about myself.
And I found comfort in Joseph's story
where I was like sort of in that dark place, in that pit.
And it said that even when he was in prison,
he was a success because God was with him.
So even without any of the things that come with success
or come with being a successful individual,
you're not supposed to find your identity in that.
You're not supposed to find even value in those things,
but it's truly when you're walking with God
that is when you're successful.
So I feel like I was a success even at my lowest point
because God was with me.
So, hallelujah.
So.
I'm not trying to have church, but amen.
I love it, I love it.
That's what success is to me.
Success is literally walking with God,
living out your purpose and truly operating.
Yes, operating in your gifts,
operating in your talents
and not allowing them to be buried.
Because at a point in my life, I did bury my talents
because I was comparing and contracting myself with others,
looking at others, looking at what others are doing
instead of looking at God and literally being focused
on what he has put in front of me.
You feel me?
So, I lost sight of that and I buried my talent.
I buried my gifts.
And for a long time, I was just, man, I was struggling.
It's like I had all these things locked up within me,
but I wasn't operating in them.
So I'm finally at a place where there's no competition.
I'm in my own lane and yeah.
Thank you for being here today.
I'm really happy that you tuned in to Vision Pros Live.
I'm looking forward to seeing your reactions
as these episodes continue to move forward.
This is gonna get more and more fun.
We'll have more and more engagement as well.
We'll invite people to participate in the show
and thank you for giving us your time and attention.
Have an excellent time building out your vision
and becoming a Vision Pro yourself.