Meet AL Huggins | Event, Art and Travel Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with AL Huggins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi AL, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Initially, my main goal was to assist a friend, and the business aspect came later. While at work, I often found myself daydreaming about all the other things I wanted to do rather than being tied to my job. I frequently reminded myself that there was more to life than clocking in and working 8 to 12-hour days for minimal pay. As I learned more about the inner workings of companies and how they profit from their employees’ skills and labor, I realized that I craved more out of life than what my 9 to 5 job was providing. At first, I thought starting my own business would be simple, and I would become wealthy in a few years. However, I discovered that richness does not always come in the form of currency when running a business. My thought process involved providing an outlet for artists to showcase their works of art on various platforms around the world while also making a positive impact in communities.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I consider myself a visionary and creative person. Over 10 years ago, I started my art consulting business, which was not an easy task. When I entered into the art world, it was still new to people around me. They would often say things like “That is not for us” or “Art is only for the rich” while referring to art in the form of painting. Visual art was considered a field of work for the privileged, not for the average person.

However, over time, the visual arts have grown, and people from all communities have a better appreciation for it. I am excited to think that I played a role in molding that appreciation, along with consumers and artists from the African diaspora who may have been hesitant to embrace the art world.

I feel blessed to have met so many artists and people working with them. I have had many fun nights of creative expression in spaces that I never imagined being in! It is rewarding to see and hear how my work has changed someone’s life in various ways.

I have created programs that use art as a platform to reach out to young men, particularly young black men, showing them that artistry and creativity are used in many career fields, and encouraging them to embrace their creative talents.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to my go-to spots first which are -Seafood Cafe Riverdale, Annie Laura’s Kitchen, The Breakfast Boys, and Breakfast Club.

Afterward, you can head to the New Black Wall Street market to explore the Lion Jazz Club and other locally owned eateries. The Art gallery is dope too!!

For drinks, you can check out Northside Tavern, Atlantucky Brewing Bar Ultra Lounge, and Red Phone Booth.

Atlanta always has some kind of festival happening, so it’s worth finding out what’s going on while you’re in town.
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Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes, several people have been instrumental in the growth of my business. These include all the artists that have worked with Art n Soul (too many to name individually), Wayne Barton, Mike Nixion, Stacye Warren-Jordan, the Mount Olive CBC, the Sheriff PAL Program, the City of Riverdale, GA, the City of Venice Beach, CA, the City of Dania Beach CRA, FL, the City of Lauderdale Lake, FL, and the City of Deerfield Beach, FL. and She Got Game Media along with my friends and family

Website: www.artlyfeproduction.com

Instagram: Artlyfeproduction

Linkedin: Art n Soul

Twitter: My Art n Soul

Facebook: Art n Soul

Youtube: @artlyfe8101

Other: https://www.clara-mae-hideaway.com/