Meet Cartiear J. Madlock: Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cartiear J. Madlock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cartiear J., what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business was to fill a void in a space that had been vacant for far too long. I simply wanted to raise awareness of black-owned businesses and negate the negative stereotypes that were commonly perpetuated. Once I got the ball rolling on those things, my focus shifted from “keeping us from looking bad” to “doing whatever it takes to make us look good.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is called Black Business Finder. We specialize in documentary-style storytelling for black artists & entrepreneurs, based in Detroit, MI.

I began interviewing local business owners simply because they needed more publicity and I knew that I would cover them in a unique way. My worst case scenario was that I would get a free education in entrepreneurship and likely become an entrepreneur myself.

While building a brand and helping to tell our stories, I developed a real knack for editing video. Movies were like a father figure for me during my late teens and twenties, so I had a natural eye for what looked good on camera. Drama is my favorite genre and I knew that I wanted to incorporate that into my work.

After sticking to my eccentric style of storytelling, people began to see the value and I was able to charge for my work. I had created a niche. Every interview was filmed, edited and produced with the anticipation of it possibly going viral. My goal has always been to pay such close attention to the small details of my process, that no one else in my field would be willing to match that level of time and effort.

I spent countless hours setting up interviews, filming and sitting in front of my computer trying to get as close to perfection as possible with the equipment that I could afford. One of the most important lessons that I have learned is to approach my craft with the mindset of a producer. I must consistently produce more than I consume…and when the people aren’t catching on…produce more. I must produce at the level of “the next Spike Lee” long before anyone else recognizes me as such.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I want to be the best. I want to dominate in my field. I will be remembered for my ideas and contributions to the culture.

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?
Being that I was born and raised in Detroit, I’ll take the opportunity to boss your life up (laughs).

If my best friend was visiting for a week, we would have to take a black business tour in the city. We would ride through the city and spend a majority of time on The Avenue of Fashion (Livernois) Grand River and Woodward Ave.

We would start off by grabbing black coffee at Narrow Way Cafe on Livernois, then walking up the street to shop at Three Thirteen for some native Detroit apparel.

We would stop by Good Cakes and Bakes for the sweet tooth (vegan cupcakes for me). After that, dropping our shoes off to be made like new by The Shoe Doctor before we go out later at night. Then it’s time to take Outer Drive to Pressed Juice Bar by Juicing With Jai to get some cold pressed juice then walk up the street to Detroit Vegan Soul for lunch.

Night life would be hopping from spots like The Block Detroit to Griot Music Lounge to Good Vibes Lounge. No trip to The D is complete without a visit to the Coney (Coney Island restaurant/diner) we have tons of them! We would have to try the new Tony Island owned by our very own rapper/artist Tone Tone.

We could do this for days…Detroit is FULL of black excellence!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Aside from my loving family and friends who go out of their way to remind me just how talented I am and how they appreciate my work, I would like to recognize one of my very few idols, Spike Lee for numerous reasons.

I have always been a creative person to some capacity but was rarely moved or inspired by other artists. Here is the thing: On those rare occasions when I’m moved by a work of art, I am REALLY moved! From a young age, I was fascinated by Spike Lee’s work. The way he would switch from color to black and white to convey a certain emotion, how he would break the fourth wall and allow actors to address the audience directly…abiding by no rules but those of his own, which evolved into a style that was his own.

Above all else, he was my living proof that a black man could get behind a camera and bring his ideas to life. He continuously revealed the struggle, truth and beauty of black people in their natural essence.

I knew that was important. I knew that I wanted to do it too…in my own way.

Website: www.bbfdetroit.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblackbusinessfinder/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cartiear-madlock-02554086/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackbusinessfinder

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5R3hcIOuOS242kfvSALNfA

Other: https://www.facebook.com/Cartiear

Image Credits
Aleigha Williams Morgan McDonald Kandis Page Tyler Moncrief Keila Shawnae