Meet Mario Quinn Lyles | Executive Director & Creative Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mario Quinn Lyles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mario Quinn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started off as an art student majoring in media arts but I also was really into dancing and making music. While in school I had an opportunity to work for Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor and soon realized how much I loved being a support system for young people. After graduating and not getting my dream job at Disney I struggled to find my way until I started teaching dance and other creative arts. After a few years, I wanted to have something specific to my interests but where I could be a platform for African American (BIPOC) youth. The idea for Level Up came when I decided not to limit myself to just one art form but to use all that I loved as a vehicle to mentor and support young people. Level Up Studios serves as a youth educational program teaching creative disciplines such as visual/ media arts, music, and dance. Recently we’ve expanded into teaching martial arts and boxing to add another level of learning and support for our youth. When I was young I always wanted a place to help ignite my creativity around people who look like me and have shared experiences. Level Up is a place where black and brown kids can feel comfortable to be themselves and learn in an environment that is truly meant for them.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
So I am the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Level Up Studios a creative arts studio in Pittsburgh that focuses on enriching the educational and artistic experiences of African American youths here in the city. Level Up Studios uses a range of creative disciplines, including Hip Hop Dance, Studio Recording, Acting, and Visual Arts, to bring another dimension to learning for children and teens growing up in disadvantaged circumstances and difficult environments.

We started in 2016 with the sole intention of being a program for youth only, however, over the years we have found ourselves in support of much more. Not only have we served young people but we have been a platform for up- in-coming visual artists, dancers, and musicians. We’ve hosted some of Pittsburgh’s best events to highlight the local art and hip-hop scene. Countless times people have approached me to thank me for what we do saying things like “Level Up helped me start my career” etc. For me, this is something that I am very proud of because I realized that what we do is for adults too. I also realize that our impact isn’t limited to what we say it is but in every interaction there’s an opportunity to be a positive influence in someone’s life.

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.
You haven’t experienced true Pittsburgh without checking out Primanti Brothers for their famous sandwiches I would start there. A few other food spots would be Showcase in Homewood. There’s a dope Korean-Hawaiian joint on Penn ave called Soju that is unreal too. Pittsburgh also has a few taco spots that are really good too like Las Palmas, Doce Taqueria, and if you want the creative taco Condado doesn’t disappoint either. I would start there for sure. I’d then take them to the Southside to check out all the bars and Lawrenceville on Butler St. there are some cool spots there too like Goldmark they always have good music and dancing. I would definitely have them check out events at Level Up Studios too bc we don’t disappoint. Also, I would have them check out all the dope galleries on Penn ave during what’s called First Friday gallery crawl. We’d check out places like Boom Concepts, Workshop Pgh, Mr. Roboto, Pull Proof, Senseless, and Assemble.

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?
Yes, I want to give a Shout out to my childhood mentor Lenny Lane. I am originally from Buffalo, NY and for a long time, I struggled as a teen to find my place and stay out of trouble. My mother signed me up for a program called F.A.T.H.E.R.S. (Fathers Armed Together Helping to Educate, Restore, and Save). Lenny a Buffalo Fire Fighter was the Co-director of this program and took a liking to me because he saw my potential. He became my personal mentor and helped me through so many tough times and showed me I didn’t have to be in the streets and that I was worth more. Since its birth, F.A.T.H.E.R.S has helped thousands of young people through back-to-school and Christmas giveaways; job fares; Unity Weekends; Dog Days of Summer; and Riding to Succeed among other great things. If it wasn’t for Lenny and the experiences I gained in this program I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I am forever grateful for Leonard Lane and the F.A.T.H.E.R.S program.

Website: www.marioquinn.com www.leveluppgh.com

Instagram: @leveluppgh @themindofquinn

Twitter: @leveluppgh @themindofquinn

Facebook: @leveluppgh @themindofquinn

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/level-up-studios-pittsburgh

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgHsSCqB4VdJ-NfHkQBxquA

Image Credits
Langan Productions (Eric Langan)