Meet Chatiera Cookie” Ray | Executive Creative Director of the CRayProject”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chatiera “Cookie” Ray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chatiera “Cookie”, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I really wanted to start something that was inclusive to me and others that look like me. Being a brown curvy woman that dance, has been a struggle. Being a dancer professionally and classically trained in ballet and modern dance, there were not a lot of spaces for a woman of color of my stature. I was only landing hip-hip dance roles (if that), and I knew I was capable of doing more.

So I decided to create a platform, organization, company that catered to what I wanted to see, what I needed, and a safe space for dancers of color that share similar experiences in the dance industry. Once I took ownership of who I was and basked in that, everything has been moving along accordingly.

I just decided to be heavily in tune with myself, my craft, and artistry, and with that, all things have continued to be authentic and impactful.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

As a dance artist, I tend to create content that is relevant to the times. I really enjoy creating work that deals with black bodies, sexuality, and black excellence. My most proud work is the PINS seasonal “urban” burlesque production that we put on each year. It focuses on the beauty of black and brown bodies, sexuality, and explores the many aspects of being “Pretty In Nubian Skin”.

Getting to where I am today professionally, took a lot of tears, trial and error, faith, risks, and just overall confidence. It’s difficult at times to stay on track with things you truly believe in when there are outsiders that may see things differently for you. So a lot of times I’ve kept quiet about my moves because my work speaks for itself. I also consider myself a hard worker, so I always give my 100% in all that I am given and choose to do. Lastly, challenges are going to always occur, and that’s why I choose to look at them as opportunities. Opportunities to be creative, opportunities to seek more, and opportunities for discovery.

Being an artist is a very hard task. Especially being a person of color. Also, being that we as artists aren’t appreciated enough in this world for the value and influence we add to society, the controversial constructs we are choosing to dismantle through our work, and our voices that speak through our art forms. But, to overcome these very challenging adversaries, we have to stay committed to ourselves, and who or what we are truly doing this for. Use these negatives as positive ammunition to keep creating.

Some lessons I have learned along the way include:

1. Don’t force the creative process, let it flow, let it go, it will always find you
2. Move in silence
3. Be patient with yourself, really honor your capacity
4. Congratulate yourself
5.Work with people that support and believe in you, as well as working with others with similar goals, drive, and passion
6. Don’t be too serious, we love it because its fun, stimulating, and our personal peace

I would like the world to know that I’m just trying to create dope shit! That’s thought provoking, provocative, educational, uplifting , and nourishing to the culture and our community. I am a person that is going to continue to make room and take up space in all that I choose to do, rather it be in dance, self discovery, performance, or whatever else I may desire to do. I’m going to do it and be sure to have a “black ass time” doing it!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

So I reside in Long Beach, Ca and there are some pretty cool things to do! If I had a week to spend with my best friend, we would definitely go have breakfast at Jerry’s Breakfast Place on 4th Street and later hang out at Cherry Beach and grab tacos from the Savage Tacos truck.

We would also take a day and skate on the boardwalk starting at the Horny Corner all the way to the end of Alamitos Beach and sit and have a bite to eat at Louisiana Charlie’s.

We both love shopping so we could spend some time at the Lakewood Mall and Long Beach Exchange. Wine is a love language of ours too, so definitely wine tasting at the Wine Crush Winery.

Speaking of drinks, we would visit Ambassador Liquor to get all of our drinking essentials for cocktails and wine during the week and go down the street to Shades of Africa for spiritual healing supplies and day to day essentials. I also, have to catch some amazing soulfood from Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles on Broadway.

But, on one of our chill days we would grab large margaritas from the Good Bar on 7th Street to go and some fire chicken and fish from SoCal Wings on Atlantic.

For some weekend fun, we could visit the MOLAA, go hydro-biking at the beach, take African Dance class with Dembrebrah’s West African Dance Ensemble at Junipero Park, and shop on the Pike. As well as visit the Aquarium of the Pacific because I still haven’t been.

For some party fun, we would do a brunch party in downtown Long Beach at “At the Top” bar and kitchen for the monthly Urban Society’s RNBrunch event.

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?

To my brother, Brandon who always keeps me on track of things and there through some of my heaviest challenges, but also for the glorious victories!

Website: www.cookiesbeautique.com / www.crayproject.org

Instagram: @1dancing_cookie | @crayproject

Twitter: @crayproject

Facebook: @crayproject

Image Credits
Photographers: Dolly Nophaennkham Luis Edson