Meet Chase Clark | Founder and Visionary of Chase’s Chance, Inc. and Creator of “the renaissance project: a black girls movement”

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

Hi Chase, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
My mentality behind life (and business) is quite simple: God first, me second, community third. In my opinion this has direct correlation to my success today. Since I was young, my parents instilled in me the importance of keeping God at the head of my life however, It was not until this past year that I began to see him clearly for myself. Knowing that I will be loved unconditionally no matter how the scales may tip in life is an unreciprocated feeling that I pray everyone gets to experience. Caring for myself is another skill that I just started paying more attention to in light of the pandemic. I realized that everything I am connected to is only as well maintained as I am. I have begun to allow more time to rest and creating boundaries has been an essential piece to my growth as a business leader and individual. Lastly, my community is a major proponent to my success as well. I have been blessed to be surrounded by uplifting, supportive people and this alone gives me permission to be the best that I can be. With the help and power of my community behind me, I truly feel there is nothing I cannot do and for that I am grateful. Each of these pieces work together harmoniously to create two beautiful business models which have sustained the test of time!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I have always been an artist at heart, taking every opportunity I could to create something new. Knowing this, you might find it kind of crazy that I never thought I’d say my love for art is manifesting through podcasting. In 2020, the world was faced with uncanny circumstances that left me at a stand still with my non-profit organization, Chase’s Chance Inc. Much like the rest of the world my team and I were stuck on how it was best to proceed with our work, which deals heavily with people. With this, we decided to use this time allotted to recharge and rest. This plan lasted about 2 weeks for me before I was anxious to get back to work on something. As my need for productivity grew along with the blatant injustice happening, I knew that I needed an outlet to discuss what was going on in the world around me. That is where “the renaissance project: a black girls movement” podcast originated.

As I tell this story, I sit back and smile at the fact that I am almost one year in. In one year, my project has been featured in 4 major media outlets. Gained close to 500 followers on Instagram alone, had 2 successful merchandise runs and accumulated over 1,000 listeners. I sit back and smile because I know how hard the journey has been as well. In between all of those feats there has been more sleepless nights than I can count, so many tears shed, and so much of myself given. Even with all of this, I sit back and smile because through every single experience up to now I have learned the value in belief. It is because I believed in myself that I was willing to stay up countless nights, it was because I believed that I cried for this so much and in the same respect it was because I believed that others believed in me to. If I was to give someone advice, I would tell them to just believe. Once you believe in you and all you bring, there is no being in this world who can stop you. Don’t believe me? Just look at “the renaissance project: a black girls movement”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone was to visit my city my advice would be: bring some good shoes, comfortable clothes and a camera because we have a lot to do. I share a deeply personal connection to most of my favorite spots so I would most likely format the trip like a walk down memory lane starting at the Mecca of my life, my home. My house is one of the most important spots on the planet to me, as this is where I spend most of my time. This would be the chillest spot before we get active at our next destination which would be my local walking trial. Walking around the trails is one of my favorite things to do, it brings so much peace to be so close to the Earth and no matter what time of year the scenery is stupendous. From here we would have to go to Mellow Mushroom- the best pizza joint ever. I would close out out first day by taking a walk around Greensboro and most likely taking some fire Instagram photos. Over the course of the next few days, I would recommend going to some historically enriching spots like the Civil Rights Museum which is where the Greensboro Four sparked a fire throughout the country. I would suggest checking out the best HBCU campus on earth, A&T State University. There are also loads of awesome entertainment spots like the Carolina Theater or the new Steven Tanger Preforming Arts Center. I would tell them about all of the beautiful parks that you could spend hours at. As for food, you can’t go wrong anywhere but, I would place special consideration to Gillespie Grille, Ben’s Boyz, and Heavenly Buffaloes. To make the trip even sweeter, Savor the Moment Bakery is a must try. Really no matter where you go you will find some fun and great food, which makes Greensboro the best place to be!

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?
There are so many wonderful people who have contributed to my growth as a business leader and as a young woman, and I am grateful to each one. To name a few: I would love to thank my parents who go above and beyond to ensure that I am equipped for all that life has to bring. Without their love and support, I would not be the young woman I am today. I also want to give a special shoutout to my younger brother, Landon who is my biggest support. Lastly, I want to give rise to a woman who inspires me so: Toni Shaw. Thank you for tenacious support of myself and each of my projects. Since our first meeting you have spoke life (and laughs) into me and for that I am so grateful. Thank you for paving the way for all the creators coming after you, we see you.

Website: www.therenaissanceprjct.com

Instagram: @therenaissanceprjct/ @isthat.chase

Twitter: @yesitschasec

Facebook: @ChaseClark

Image Credits
Toni Shaw, Woody Marshall, Landon Clark