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

Hi Ray, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’ve learned in my 15+ year career that stepping out of your comfort zone can have an positive outcome! Taking risks can surprisingly redefine our notion of success and growth. One of the greatest challenges is daring to break out of the boundaries set up systematically for us in the first place. By risk-taking, we choose to live more consciously, questioning the status-quo that have been put in place by society.

I’ve found that shifting my mindset and easily adapting to “new trends” is one of the of the keys to redefining my success in entertainment over the years. If you only look at success in terms of monetary value, your job title or social – you’re looking for clout not consistency in progressing toward success. On the other hand, if we shift the emphasis to personal growth, the threat of failure becomes redundant. Like my father says if “you adapt, improvise and overcome” very situation becomes a lesson learned and taking us one step closer to our full.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart of from everyone else in my industry is I’m the first of my kind! I am the blueprint that doesn’t need headlines to know where I stand in history as BET’s first-ever gay talent on America’s first ever black reality tv series, College Hill. Back then in 2006, I didn’t know that audition would change the trajectory of my life.

I didn’t have any references or notes to go off of when I first appeared on television and I’ve done everything in my now 18 year career based on trial and error, lead by my intuition.. Every award I’ve won, honor I’ve been given and invite accepted has been from hard work, honest hustling and my passion to go the extra mile to cement my legacy as a multi-media maven who lives unapologetically.!

The road to becoming Misster Ray wasn’t easy due to my coming to terms with my own sexuality on national television in front of everyone, including my family. It wasn’t until after I was able to travel the country, meet fans/supporters/industry peers that I realized this was bigger than me – I’m a voice for a community that I didn’t feel apart of originally due to the conservative nature in which I grew up in Virginia. Once I found out there was liberated judgement free life outside of Virginia, I’ve never turned back – only to visit family! I’ve learned every lesson the hard way in my career which is why I named my #1 best selling memoir Mess with a Message not because I was hard headed but because I simply wanted to know WHY and HOW it applied to me.

When people say my name, I want them to say “damn he did that too?” SURE DID!

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.
In Los Angeles you’ll learn quickly it’s all about the day of the week and time of day that will help you plan accordingly because traffic here is no one’s friend!

When my friends come visit, it’s some essential spots we have to visit – Javier’s in Century City for the best mexican food, NOBU in Beverly Hills for the best drinks, Kaffe Rouge in Studio City for the best hookah and Harriet’s rooftop in West Hollywood for the best sunday funday day party and music!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The backbone of my story is my sister Samantha Taylor. Since I can remember she’s held her arm out infront of me to keep me from harm, extended her hand to help me or wrapped her arms around for to show support. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive sibling.

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