Meet Francene Breakfield: Educator-Artist-Authorpreneur

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

Hi Francene, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think the most important factor behind my success is having a great team. As an author and artist, my strength is creativity. I am constantly coming up with innovative ideas whether it is marketing my product or writing my next best selling novel. I am passionate about painting, writing poetry, and event planning. However, I realize my weaknesses as well. My team mates are strong in areas where I am weak and together we are able to manage a profitable business. My administrative assistant keeps me organized by maintaining my calendar, booking my appointments, and helping me to maintain a reasonable budget. My manager promotes my brand through social media and schedules speaking engagements and constantly searches for opportunities and venues to sell and share my product.

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.
In 2014, I took a photography class at SCAD. My instructor said, “Take pictures of things you love” I love my city. So Atlanta quickly became my muse and topic of interest. After taking all of these pictures I was left thinking, “Now what?” I combined my poetic experiences of growing up Black in the ATL and my book “black@lanta” was born. There are poems about The Varsity, Grady Hospital, The Fabulous FOX, Marta , the AU Center and more. black@lanta is more than just a coffee table book it is a movement, a memory and a mood.

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.
My father had family in Miami, Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. Whenever they came in town my parents would take them to the High Museum, MLK Center, Six Flags, and The Varsity. Now 40 years later, in addition to those spots, my favorite places to visit in town are The Trap Museum, Atlantic Station, Grant Park, or any of the fabulous restaurants here in Atlanta. My itinerary would be Brunch at Gosha’s Breakfast Bar, Le Petite Marche, Serpa or Thumbs Up on Edgewood. Next I probably would drive them around the Sweet Auburn area and cruise through the AU Center to see our phenomenal HBCU’s here in town. For lunch we may do RA Sushi and dessert at Cafe Intermezzo. We could hang out on the Beltline and go to Ponce City Market to do some shopping and drinking. And then for dinner maybe Baltimore Seafood, Vickery’s or Spondivits. Just depends on where we are in town. I am a foodie and a pescatarian so I like places that have great seafood and veggie options. I am 48 and don’t really club anymore so my nightlife options may be a little sketchy. Once we open back up a concert at Wolfcreek or any screen on the green would be a great way to end the evening.

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 people behind the black@lanta brand. My mom was my first cheerleader and has always been a constant supporter of all that I do so shout out to moms. As I mentioned in my previous response, I want to shout out my admin assistant (KAE) and manager (Decatur Charlez and DECA Management). I also have many friends, family, sorority sisters, and co-workers who support my efforts and encourage me to be great. They are apart of the black@lanta experience. Where would I be without their place in this continuum I call life.

Website: www.frantabulus.com

Instagram: doctafrantabulus or black_atlanta

Linkedin: Francene Breakfield

Twitter: @frantabulus1

Facebook: Docta Frantabulus

Image Credits
Book Cover Fatima Michon Photography TFTI Atlanta Photos by Katlyne Hill Photography Book signing and Mays HS Photo by Kendrallynn Edwards