Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Raynor.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Caleb. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m from Miami, Florida (brown subs area). I grew up on 47th and 19th by Joe’s Supermarket, violence was the norm around that area so when I got a little older, my mom moved us to Opa Locka, the violence still ensued, lol. And then, we moved to Miami Gardens. I used to still take trips to the city to visit family and friends. Growing up, I wouldn’t say I was bad but I did get into a lot of trouble, lol, mainly because I needed to stay busy, my mind always wanders and in school, I was always one of the first students done with my work so I used to bother others and make everyone laugh.
My mom was a great mother and did the best she can for me while hiding the everyday struggles she went through. For me, she’s a strong woman. My mom was a school teacher since I can remember and still is, she always had a great impact on her students. Everywhere we went, people knew my mom and showed her much love. I always looked up to that and knew that I wanted to help others and have that same love that people had for my mother. My whole life I was doing just that and didn’t notice until I got older, growing up, I was always told I was a leader, kids followed me whether I was doing bad or good. I had a lot of good mentors that fill the void for me not having a father in my life and I’m grateful for that. Right now, I am currently a teacher, I teach middle school and the subject is History. My road to becoming a teacher was like everything else in my life, a challenge, lol. I started off subbing in 2015 and worked my way up to becoming a full-time teacher, it had its ups and downs for sure, but I’m grateful for the overall process.
Since I’ve been a teacher, I’ve given over 20 kids over 20 pairs of shoes, the reason I give kids shoes is that, if you look good, you feel good and it makes you want to do good. A lot of the kids aren’t fortunate enough to have nice shoes, so I figured if I can take one lil problem off their minds, that’ll be more space for that child to focus on obtaining an education. I’ve been through a lot that I really don’t too much speak on, from near-death experiences to losing close friends. I never really wear my emotions on my sleeve because I know there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Growing up, I was always good at gathering people and making them have a good time. As I got older, I started putting that gift into play and planning events, I get that from my mom too, btw, lol. Right now, I’m 1/3 curator of Summer Time CookOut which is a big picnic created to bring the city of Miami together with no violence and to show we can all get along. I’m also the executive producer of the Miami Entertainment Awards which is a show and platform created to cultivate, motivate, and appreciate the culture in Miami. The event will be September 8, 2019, at the Julius Littman Theatre and all the big names from Miami will be there. I’m just trying to make a difference in the community and be the change I want to see.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing in life is smooth, lol… you have to grind hard for everything you want… it’s always going to be obstacles but getting through them obstacles is what makes the journey even better.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m an educator and event planner, lol. Right now, I’m most proud of the overall improvements I’ve made as a person which helped me in the area I’m in, because dealing with people, you have to know how to communicate and facilitate events without being in your feelings and maintaining professionalism at all times.
Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
Miami is the city that doesn’t sleep! It’s always something to do! I love that! I hate how the crib wait until something is popping to support it.
Contact Info:
- Address: [email protected]
- Website: MiamiEnterntianmentAwards.com
- Instagram: MiamiEntertainmentAwards
- Twitter: AwardsMiami
Image Credit:
KameraLynnz Production (pic with the yellow hand sign)
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