Meet Frank Oakley III | Actor, Creator & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frank Oakley III and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frank, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from Kansas City, KS (KCK) born and raised! There’s most definitely a theme as it relates to who I am, and where I am today – community. A lot of it started at home for me. I grew up on Quindaro blvd which wasn’t the safest neighborhood growing up at the time. And on top of living were you hear gunshots every nigh that would almost serve as white noise to put you to sleep, I was such an odd, goofy and weird kid growing up. A kid who had an eclectic taste for things that, at the time, were going to get you roasted or literally jeopardize your safety and survival. But now we see that all of us in the hood was rocking with *Nsync and watching nerdy cartoons, so – haha!

My parents did the best they could with what they had and who they are/were. My mama did a lot of nursing work (primarily CNA and RNA). So I remember her morning routine of getting up at like 4am every morning, having her black coffee and then me and my pops would drop her off at work before I had to go to school. She modeled and laid the ground work to my conceptualization or discipline and hard work. My pops was traveling blues musician and variety artists since he was like 8 up until the last few years of his life. So the artistic/performing gifting came from him.

It wasn’t until I started getting into recreational sports/activities that I started shaping and solidifying the work ethic and discipline I am beyond grateful to have today. I had so many teachers, coaches and staff at my high school (Wyandotte High School) and middle school (Northwest Middle) who saw things in me that I could never fathom. There’s not enough time to walk through every single teacher, coach and staff member who had a lasting impact on me, so for this particular interview I’ll go with the one who I spent the most time with, and who really played a large hand in shaping me into the man I am today – my high school Band Director Mr. Jeremiah Furlow! In addition to the two main sports teams I was a part of at Wyandotte (wrestling and track & field) marching band is what taught me Discipline, Pride Attitude and Commitment (DPAC – our band motto).

Mr. Furlow saw a leader in me when all I saw in myself was a shy, super goofy little introverted dude who liked being in the background (unnoticed if possible). I played bass drum, which in our bands parade configuration was in the literally back of the band. And I played the biggest bass so I was quite literally in the back. I was always the first one to show up and the last one to leave. Not because I was trying to get noticed or seen. Simply because I truly LOVED being there and I loved band! I won our first “drill off” where the winner got there band fees and jogging suit payed for. Which was huge blessing at the time! I picked up on things pretty quick and I was someone who committed hard to whatever I was doing. Mr. Furlow notice all those little things, and more, that I didn’t. He, much like a lot of my teachers in class saw me leading the charges in class clowning (so sorry USD 500) saw a leader in me. Because of that he made me one of the 3 Drum Majors my junior and senior year in high school. Which I think I literally begged him not to haha. I didn’t want the responsibility and discomfort. I was super content being in the back of the band! But he insisted and put me in the front of the band as one of the Drum Majors.

Him doing that, pushing me out of my comfort zone, to lead did something major (pun slightly intended) that he’ll never know. Or maybe he did which is why he did it in the first place. The things he taught me, the responsibility he gave me, the correcting/disciplining he gave me and the leadership he gifted me is the “secrete sauce” if you will, that I still cook with to this day. It has shaped me into the man I am today.

At least once a year I shoot him a message telling him thank you, so when he reads this I hope he feels the gratitude and appreciation I have for him. Him and all the teachers who saw what Mr. Furlow, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Libal, Mr. Svoboda, Mrs. McElroy, Coach Lee, Coach Dolezal and so many other USD 500 teachers, coaches and staff saw in me, dealt with my shenanigans in class, my whining when I had to run laps, and yet still pushed me to go beyond. To dig deeper. To be the man and leader they all saw I could be. Thank y’all for real!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Like I mentioned in a recent interview I truly don’t think I have anything that sets me apart that much. Some people would argue otherwise on my behalf and I appreciate that for real. However, what I strive to be known as/for (which I guess would set me apart) is the guy who does his work with excellence. Who approached the work with an attitude of service, gratitude and joy. Someone who has genuine interactions with others (no matter if it’s 4 hours or 4 seconds). Someone who makes people feel seen, cared for and loved. Someone who creates work for the underdogs/unseen. Someone who people love collaborating with. Someone who creates work that people can get excited about. Someone who leads with intention, compassion, care, integrity and conviction.

If I can mature and grow into all of these things I think I’m couple steps closer to being the artist, creator, producer, man and servant I aim to be before my time is done on earth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a horrible question for me because I’m such an introverted homebody lol! I actually joke about this a lot whenever we do have friends/fam visit us. I can tell you about some of my favorite food places, trails and parks and that’s about all I got for you haha.

EATS:

One of my favorite food spots of all times (and I would so graciously love to be their spokesperson) is a restaurant called “Little Thai” in Sandy Springs. It. Is. So. Good! I’m convinced it’ll be in heaven some day truly! The next time you’re in the area go there and tell them Frank sent you! They’re probably be like “who’s that?” but still go do it lol.

Cinnaholic – an amazing vegan cinnamon roll places! Now before you tune me out because I said vegan, trust me you don’t taste the vegan haha. Truly a great spot, with a couple locations, to serve that sweet tooth.

Gusto! – It’s like an even healthier version of Chipotle with a unique variety!

Edgewood Pizza – when I lived by the King Center we’d frequent there quite a bit. Pizza slaps, plain and simple.

WALKS:

Kennesaw Mountain – such a great location where you can get a good walk/exercise in and see some amazing sites.

Bob Callan Trail – a nice little trail that if you don’t have a ton of time but want to get a decent walk/hike or bike ride in then this is your spot.

Cochran Shoals Trail – another one that had really wide paths/trails that you could walk and see some great sites and get a good workout in. You’ll need a little time for this one if you want to go a distance, but not necessary.

Amicalola Falls State Park – STUNNING. That is all.

Tallulah Gorge State Park – SUPER STUNNING. SUPER STUNNING.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Babyland – if you want weird and slightly disturbing go here. I’ve been once and like the end of a MCU movie “Frank will return”.

Buccee’s – Need I say more?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Again, I truly want to focus my praises in this particular interview to my hometown and the people in it who helped raise me, push me and support me. I think far too often we tend to forget where we come from, and it’s easy to do. For some people, like myself, when were you come from was a hard place filled with trauma, danger and an energy heaviness/unseen warfare we want to get as far away from that (metaphorically, mentally, physically and emotionally) as possible. And there is some wisdom/healing to that. But if it wasn’t for the challenges and hardships I faced growing up in KCK I would have never had the support system and community come around me like I did. I would have never been forced to get creative on how to get through a lot of the challenges life threw at me. I would not have had to dig deep and find my “DPAC”. I love being from KCK and I love my roots there (the good and the bad). It ALL shaped me and played a part of my growth and help build character. So if there is anyone reading this who is from KCK (or any hard neighborhood or block) don’t be ashamed of where you come from. There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to reach people outside of you community/where you grew up. To dream bigger than your area code. Just remember to honor where you come from, the people who built into you and don’t despise small beginnings.

Website: https://www.frankoakleythethird.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankoakleythethird/?hl=en

Twitter: https://x.com/FrankOakleyIII

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyoM7ApSqjYV_ZW4vNwuHEg?view_as=subscriber

Other: IMDb: www.imdb.me/frankoakleythethird

Image Credits
All black and white photos: Chad Erichsen (Erichsen Photography ATL)
Puppet Man photos: Philly Greene
Rewind BTS: D’Ante Wilson