Hustle Tips: Calvin Walker on Crafting Worlds with Words and Shaping Your Creative Pathway
Crafting Words • Passion Projects • Connecting with the Audience • Cultural POV
In the ever-evolving landscape of media, communications, and digital creativity, Calvin Walker is sharing his professional experience that extends beyond the transition from a structured work environment to the fluidity of creative freelancing; it’s a testament to finding one’s voice amidst the noise and crafting a career that resonates with personal truth and passion.
From Corporate to Creative Freedom
Calvin’s approach to freelancing is rooted in versatility and openness to new experiences, underscoring the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone to discover unexpected opportunities.
Starting with his unexpected dive into food writing, "I'm not a foodie…even when I wrote the pitch, sent it to him. I was like, I'm never going to hear back" he laughs, recalling how a Beyoncé-inspired pepper grinder piece for Food & Wine marked his entry into a space where pop culture meets culinary delight. This then led to a series of articles Calvin then contributed to Food & Wine magazine.
Outside of paid work, he has been working on novel manuscripts that have "been in the works" but having time away from corporate work has allowed him to tap back into his creativity and sink into his writing voice. One key project is a romance novel, which he initially had reservations about but has since enjoyed writing in that genre. He sees potential in expanding the representation of black gay men in romance novels.
“For anyone in the space of writing, whether it's copywriting, social writing, fiction, or nonfiction, the thing I would say is that you can't fix what doesn't exist. And that's basically saying like you've got to you've got to write it. If you're a writer, you have to do that. Because you fix it, unless it actually exists in the world.”
Authenticity in Strategy and Storytelling
While at his core, he is a writer, Calvin's background in strategy enriches his storytelling, allowing him to craft narratives that resonate deeply with diverse audiences. His strategic approach to writing and ability to understand various perspectives shape his work.
As a writer of color, Calvin recognizes that his experiences enable him to create more authentic and diverse voices in his storytelling. He believes that writers of color often have an advantage in this area due to their exposure to a wide range of experiences and perspectives that might not be as readily accessible to white writers. This understanding allows them to write characters that are more relatable and genuine.
In his reflections on the generational divide in the workplace, Calvin offers a balanced perspective on navigating the nuances of Millennial and Gen Z dynamics. "Sometimes it feels like 100 years separates Millennials from Gen Z. It has been really intriguing for me, particularly because it's layered," Calvin noted. He explained that some of the conversations around Gen Z (and any upcoming generation) feel cyclical, as many of the same characterizations were previously applied to Millennials. Calvin advocates for a culture of mutual respect and learning, suggesting that embracing diversity in thought and experience leads to richer, more impactful creative outcomes.
Pulling from Good and Bad Examples of Leadership
Very early in his career, Calvin was fortunate to have a Black male boss who made it clear that his voice mattered no matter who else was in the room and it gave him a lot of confidence to use his voice and not let it be buried.
Calvin shares, “After I stopped working with him, I didn't work with another Black man in a senior or executive position for 10 years. Throughout that decade, I worked with a lot of individuals who either didn't understand where I was coming from, didn't care to understand where I was coming from, or just had their own very specific blinders on.”
While not the most positive experience, it taught Calvin to be the leader he didn't have, even at times when he was not in a traditional titled role. “A lot of what I learned about leadership was learning from what I didn't want to be. Which was difficult... Honestly, there were a lot of times when I was like, ‘Is it even worth it?’ But, with younger people, specifically younger people of color, I do feel like it's been worth it because I don't know if there's a better conversation that's been had.”
But, with younger people, specifically younger people of color, I do feel like it's been worth it because I don't know if there's a better conversation that's been had.”
Redefining Success on Personal Terms
For Calvin, success transcends the conventional metrics of job titles and client rosters. “You are not your work”, Calvin reminds us.
Success lies in moments of gratitude, the pursuit of personal projects, and the meaningful connections forged along the way. This personal ethos serves as a reminder of the importance of defining success on one’s own terms, beyond societal expectations.