Meet Kadeem Marron | Actor / Filmmaker / Model / Screenwriter
We had the good fortune of connecting with Kadeem Marron and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kadeem, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My dear cousin, Jalen Golden gave me some sacred advice about risk-taking. He told me to that in order to seize what is wanted out of life, one must always be willing to take a risk on themselves. He was right. Throughout my career as both an actor and a filmmaker a lot of my success was conjured, because I took a calculated risk towards the betterment of my career. Prior to every opportunity I’ve received comes the natural thought of, “Well, what if this doesn’t work?” And if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t. Move onto the next, but I’ll never know if it does work if I don’t take the risk of doing it.
Risks are necessary. Taking a risk is simply taking action. If I fail, I grow. If I succeed I grow. If I do nothing, because I’m paralyzed by the fear of taking risk then I’ll remain stagnant and that is not the objective.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an actor, filmmaker, and model.
I started my professional career in my dorm room. Around that time, my only challenge to overcome was myself. Being an introvert at heart was difficult, because I just wouldn’t leave my room. I was fresh to the city and I was from the lowcountry side of Georgia so I was afraid of how others would perceive me. A tree can’t grow in a small pot, so my natural action was to start leaving the room. It started off as bursts and then I bought myself to skateboard to explore the city. It didn’t take long for me to overcome that fear and ever since I left my room I have hard time returning back to it, because of the amount of work I have to do now.
My proudest accomplishment has been the active film festival circulation of my short film, “RAMP”. I made the film as an online ad for the hair company, Texture My Way. I previously worked with them as a hair model. With the screening of RAMP I’ve been able to use the film to exhibit skills of both me and my team. I believe what sets me apart from others in my field is the support that I receive from others. How I carry myself and how I impact the lives of others around me is the reason why I’m able to produce an organic and consistent audience. It’s the greatest feeling in the world when I’m at a screening I can recognize nearly every face in the seats in front of me.
One other accomplishment I would love to mention is the preview screening of my experimental documentary, “City of Heart”. It’s based in the City of Riceboro which is a historic Gullah Geechee town in Georgia. The film is dedicated to two of my cousins who were victims of gun violence. I was able to organize the film at my community’s stomping grounds, “The Crossing”. Many people from the Briar Bay, Hinesville, and Riceboro community attended and enjoyed the festivities of our local screening. It was my first time organizing an event. To see it come into fruition and be accepted by my community was a beautiful experience.
What I’ve learned in this season of my career is the importance of serving ones community. By seeing what my community needs and how I can contribute not only puts me in a position to open up my services to individuals within these spaces and build relationships with them.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Peter Street Station, they have these Wednesday night jam sessions that are phenomenal.
Village Skatepark ATL, skateboarding and dope community events.
Ponce City Market, cause it’s ponce.
Omni Coffee & Eggs is great third place to show a friend. The Bridgerton aesthetic and royal hospitality is unmatched and the food is legit.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s so many people I’m grateful for in this journey.
God and First African Baptist Church in Riceboro, GA: I was trained since I was young by my elders of the church to be comfortable being in front of a crowd and expressing myself through acting. This became the perfect grounds for developing & nurturing my artistic expression at a young age.
Audio_Video_Club: They are an Atlanta based film community that I’ve been able to share my most experimental films with. Having a safe space to experiment fearlessly is essential for any dope artist.
Georgia State University: I graduated with a bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Acting. With it being based all over Downtown ATL, studying here shaped my perspective. I got to digest Atlanta culture and allow it to transform how I view art while also honing my skills as an actor at the university’s classes.
Donald Lovette, Commission Chairman of Hinesville, GA: Next to his title of being a chairman for the board of commissioners, Mr. Lovette is also a playwright that owns Lovett Productions. He casted me in historical Gullah/Geechee driven plays which in turn not only allowed me to develop my skills as an actor, but also discover profound knowledge of my own history & culture. This allowed me to not only perform at a young age, but I was also performing for my community, Liberty County. His guidance and knowledge has proved invaluable in my journey. I’m grateful to have him as a mentor.
Hermina Glass-Hill: She’s the foremost scholar of Susie King Taylor & works alongside with the Susie King Taylor Women’s Institute. She has been a loud voice in supporting me and my creative endeavors. So much so that she even funded a project for a visualizer made to complement an art show and assigned me the role of managing its creative direction.
Peter Street Station: Peter Street Station is an artist community center that serves as an “Artist Incubator”. After spending time in the space, I’ve been far more affirmed as an artist since moving back to Atlanta, GA. The building resides in Castleberry Hills, an art district of Atlanta where I’ve found so much opportunities to gain inspiration and knowledge. Thanks to the constant guidance & presence of Miya Bailey, Stretch Green, Everett James, and Mr. Q I’ve found a place where I can grow in Atlanta’s dynamic art scene.
Riceboro, GA/My Cousins/912: I possess the experience of living in a tight knit lowcountry Gullah Geechee community in Riceboro, GA. The Rice Fields and the waters of Cay Creek offers a stillness that Atlanta cannot. To grow up around family was a blessing I couldn’t fathom living without. Shoutout to Cousin Mike, Marquis Bishop, Tyrese Anderson, and Nahla Shepard,
Instagram: @kadeemmarron
Linkedin: Kadeem Marron
Twitter: @kadeemmarron
Youtube: @kadeemmarron
Image Credits
Eaphen Pace – Photographer – @eaphenthephotographer
Tiffany Robinson – Photographer – @whoistifftaff
Xay In Focus – Photographer – @xayinfocus
Labass – Photographer – @labasstard
Nina Istrope – Documentarian – @ninathecrab
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