Meet Dizzie Harris | Actor, Singer-songwriter, & Artpreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dizzie Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dizzie, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

Mindfulness is key! According to the Oxford Dictionary, mindfulness is ‘a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.’ Intentionally setting aside time to focus inward and heed guidance from God enables me to lead a more purposeful and balanced life. I have also found great value in keeping a routine for myself. Starting the day off with prayer/meditation, working out, going to therapy, and eating clean– all of these practices keep me accountable for my well being. I have come to the realization that the way that I nurture myself directly influences how I nurture my business.

This quotation from Buddha perfectly encapsulates my inner thoughts: “To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind, he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.”

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

I consider myself amongst the privileged to be able to make a living doing what I love; acting, singing, writing, songwriting, and producing my own content through my production company, CruMob Productions. As a renaissance woman with many irons in the fire, there’s never a shortage of new ideas to explore or projects to fine tune.

With that, I am very much a firm believer in the saying, “There’s nothing new under the sun”. To me, humanity is just experiencing recycled circumstances. It is a matter of how we tell this story— given our nature and how we are nurtured, that makes the interpretation of our experiences unique… that’s art!

It is my hope that people feel empowered to live their truth in its entirety when they experience the expression of my creative interpretations — if it begins with four minutes and forty four seconds of a melody that sings their soul’s song, a stanza of poetry that kisses a childhood wound, an interview, a scene, a dance move, whatever the form, they feel seen — you feel seen through the art that I’ve had the courage to create. I do it on behalf of all of those who struggle to find the words to speak their truth. I know what that’s like. In appreciation for what art has done for my own life, I consider it a privilege– in certain respects, a civic duty– to share my journey with those who care to hear me with their heart.

My new book Journey My Ebony is a collection of choreopoems, hymns, and photography —- conceived during the most trying time of my life; God’s grace has enabled me to transmute that pain into purpose. You Voyage LA readers are the first to know about it ! Follow @thegreenescribe for more information.

Yes, that was my shameless plug. Ha !

Speaking of the journey, clearly it has not been an easy one. Then again, the most rewarding voyages are full of uncomfortable lessons. So how did I manage it ? I learned what it truly means to have faith. Having faith in God, myself, predestination, process, and the ebb and flow of life. I’m still learning, quite frankly; I’m learning how to “breathe and pray” as my mentor Harry Lennix would put it. Sometimes that’s all you can do. Trusting that all that is supposed to happen will happen in its proper timing. The waiting is never easy so during those times I exercise patience. I make it a point to feed my inner child with affirmations such as ‘I am enough’, ‘All things are working together for my good’; Romans 8:28, and “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”; Jeremiah 29:11. I hold tightly to these truths, knowing that eventually it’s all going to pan out the way God intended it to.

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?

If my friends are visiting me in LA –hands down I’m taking them to Leimert Park! Leimert has become a staple in my ‘feel good regiment’– full of amazing food, incredible people, African shops, community centers such as the National Alliance Of Mental Health (NAMI) and Community Build, as well as several other excellent black owned businesses. Leimert park is a place where I can let my hair down, enjoy great music, and fellowship with like minded people. I would definitely take my people to Leimert.

We’d hit Blaqhaus NOHO for R&B brunch, Bossa Nova for dinner (I recommend the Salmon and Sangria), and probably catch the sunset in Malibu. Our days would most likely be centered around food– and that’s totally fine by me! A few other good eats are Sattdown Jamaican Grill (Tell Chef Tony Dizzie sent you), Ackee & Bamboo, Sage Vegan Bistro, and All Chill Hip Hop Ice Cream in Leimert ( the honey vanilla and strawberry bourbon balsamic are vegan and pretty close to heavenly!). As far as things to do, I’d love for them to visit LACMA Jazz Night, The Getty, The Broad, Hiking Trails, Thrifting on Fairfax, Santa Monica Pier, ONE Church LA, and Soca Dance Hall fest during the summer.

After all of that, I’m sure the only other place they’d like to visit is sleepy town!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I first and foremost have to give honor to The Most High from whom all my blessings flow. I have to say, God has given me an army of gatekeepers- individuals who pray with me, hold me accountable, and encourage me to be all that I was born to be. I could write a list of names but quite frankly, that’d take up more space than I’m allotted.

I do want to acknowledge two of the most influential people in my life: my mother and my godfather Harry Lennix.

My mother, Tametria, has hands down been my biggest cheerleader throughout my pursuit of purpose. She’s been my prayer warrior, editor, CFO, friend, chauffeur before I learned how to drive, and always a listening ear in the midnight hour. Without her, there would be no Dizzie Harris. She has–and continues to go above and beyond to make sure that I shine in the fullness of the light God has instilled in me. My mother showed me how to be the boss that I am today. As she would say, ” I gave you my best egg”. As hilarious as that may sound, I believe her. My voice, wit, confidence, and smile all come from the beautiful woman I call Mommy.

My Godfather Harry Lennix is my heaven sent protector. Being an OG in the game, he has not only given me the tools to ensure longevity in the entertainment business, but most importantly, he has instilled in me the importance of using my platform to advance the Kingdom of God and the advancement of black art/excellence.

I also want to shout out my bloodline, those living and the ancestors who watch over me everyday. I do this for us!

Website: https://www.dizzieharris.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disdizzie/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crumob-productions-llc-27921b216/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/disdizzie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disdizzie

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNG8UXmgyeB9ksQvpyuX5g

Other: TikTok: @disdizzie

Image Credits
@philippedesign @Elijah.wells