Daily Inspiration: Meet Jerard Chapman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerard Chapman.

Hi Jerard, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
As a young child, art came easily to me. Breaking things down in pattern, color, light, shadows, and perspective – I would draw in church, at restaurants, on shoes, and pretty much anywhere I could get a pencil or pen, my surroundings became my canvas.

Art was so easy that I did not think much of it until my senior year of high school when my art teacher kept asking me to join the art club. Being an African-American male in Aurora, sports is what caught the attention of most people, not art. So I focused on sports and kept pushing my invite to the art club back further and further until one day I decided to go and it was the best decision I made. That decision felt like walking through a door that was made specifically for me, as opposed to trying to force it open. Yes, I looked different, thought differently, and even felt different, but soon realized I was given this gift by GOD because He made me different.

From there, not only did my surroundings become my canvas, but the world became my canvas! I was intrigued by art, the beauty of it, and the mess of it. But I just didn’t see art as a visual appeal. I was intrigued by the art of business, the art of the mind, the art of the body, the art of relationships, and the art of success. I found inspiration in everything. That led me to relocate to the east coast and at the age of 25, my curiosity would soon be met by the real world. Through many experiences, relationships, lessons, battles, celebrations, wins, and losses I started to view life as a puzzle. Recognizing the pieces around me and their significance, I moved back home to Aurora with a deeper desire to provide opportunities for others. To create platforms that weren’t presented to me.

To teach, but also learn. To provide, but also want. To shed light on others, but also identify myself. The pieces started coming together and I began to see the bigger picture. By the age of 30, I had successfully launched an art business that hosted 4 local art shows, coached boys’ basketball in Aurora, and West Baltimore, led 2 animation internship programs, had just married the most beautiful woman, and was expecting my firstborn. I knew the “next chapter” was on the horizon and my puzzle would be expanding. I soon transitioned into family mode and put aside my hustle for real life. But the hustle wouldn’t let me sleep, in fact, dreams of creating kept me awake many nights.

Yep, my dreams kept me awake! By my mid-30s, that same drive and desire for art returned, and Walk a Mile in Our Shoes manifested. We launched our nonprofit in 2019 with a mission to allow a platform for individuals or groups to express themselves through creativity. Since the launch, WaMOS has provided so much joy that we are truly excited for what the future brings. Connecting through art on shoes fulfills my passion on so many levels. Yes, you see the creative side, the business side, the inspiration, the teaching, and the community side. If you ask me, I say, “I see one big puzzle and I’m simply putting the pieces together to be part of the bigger picture!”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Many of the struggles have just been “life” struggles. Money, resources, etc.

As a young man living on my own, I could go a few days without eating, ride public transportation, or walk around town to get where I needed just to save money for art supplies or pay for an application to use an art studio space. But that changes as you have a family.

Many times, I wanted to give up, but the passion burned too deep and I couldn’t give up what GOD made me see so clearly. I realized it was about timing and preparation.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have 2 art businesses. Chozen Creativity LLC is a business that specializes in creative business development, film, and media. From logos, apparel, websites, and children’s books to animations, storytelling, and film – our network of creative minds does a lot. Walk a Mile in Our Shoes is our nonprofit that specializes in connecting through art on shoes.

Mentoring young students in the Aurora community to help many who may struggle with mental health or trauma but also bring awareness to other challenges our youth face- all through art on shoes. Generally, I would say I am most proud to have met such amazing and talented youth that I know will have a great positive impact on the world. One youth specifically, designed a cleat for former Denver Broncos player Chris Harris Jr and she watched him wear it in a game.

She was very proud and will never forget that experience and to share that with her was probably my proudest moment. What sets me apart from others is probably the work ethic. When set on accomplishing something, the amount of work and focus that I give can probably be borderline obsessive.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would say ambition, determination, drive, desire to learn, and ability to compartmentalize are some of the most important characteristics I attribute to my success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chozen22art.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/w.a.m.o.s/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaMOSFoundation
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wamosfoundation?s=21&t=NLyQkFXkXQjKgv9cmEDPWg
• Other: http://www.tiktok.com/@wamosfoundation

Image Credits
Javon “The Unique” Chapman