Born and raised in the coastal community of Panama City, FL, I discovered my passion for art and music at a young age. It was as natural as playing with my battery-operated toy panda that had drums in the small church my father built. While most children used coloring books, I saw the blank inside covers as a canvas for imaginative drawings and doodles. This creative exploration shaped my path as an artist in publishing. At 11, my artwork was featured in the most-read children's magazine in the US, Highlights for Children Magazine.

As a teenager, I learned to play the tenor saxophone and joined the Steel Breeze steel drum band—my skills and showmanship as a flashy drum major at A. Crawford Mosley High School captivated crowds during halftime shows, thanks to my mentorship and training with the prestigious Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps.

At age 23, after graduating from Florida A&M University, I faced a life-threatening illness when I suffered from Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in my right lung. The symptoms were eventually diagnosed as a result of a failing immune system fighting HIV/AIDS. My weight dropped to 128 lbs, and I could barely breathe. Doctors told me I would never work, and I had to regain my strength to learn to walk again. Hiding the shame and trauma of being a black gay male "preacher's kid" in America with an illness ostracized in society was beyond challenging; however, I inherently wanted to live with an identity of dignity and the opportunity of a career. I became a client with United Way's Big Bend Cares to seek help and eventually joined their Board of Directors, where I helped fundraise and redesign their branding. The following year, I regained my health and pursued a successful career in graphic design, promoting volunteerism with the State of Florida and the Governor's Office.

 

After several years of working as a graphic designer at the Florida Lottery, I was offered the position of Creative Director. I then relocated to Atlanta to join the award-winning ad agency BBDO Atlanta after the company extended the work of a Point of Sale specialist. Seeking a sense of purpose, I traveled the world as a volunteer to help disenfranchised children in Cambodia and Guatemala have clean water and education.

 

Nevertheless, my love for music returned me to the spotlight as I started performing internationally at special events, concerts, and conferences. I became eager to learn more about the music industry and studied audio engineering and music business with a certification from the Atlanta Institute of Music. I performed as a lead singer, band manager, and director for various party bands, music teams, and choirs. Additionally, I had the honor of opening for renowned best-selling authors and speakers such as Jean Houston, Les Brown, and Iyanla Vanzant. Since returning to music and entertainment, I became a songwriter with BMI and recorded my first self-produced EP and music video, "Letting Go," a music project about self-liberation.

 

In 2019, I began teaching African-influenced music and dance classes in after-school programs for Atlanta public schools and Kinderdance programs. I created an interactive drum program, hosting music classes and drumming workshops for churches, businesses, senior centers, youth with disabilities, and special events promoting community and well-being. In response to COVID-19, I supported Active Youth Academy to produce DIY Music Kids, an online class with over 30 music and art videos for underserved youth. In the videos, I created activities to teach students how to make musical instruments from home-recycled material and educated them about the musical instruments and their cultural origins in the safety of their homes.

 

Life took another turn, and I was recruited to move cross-country from Atlanta to Los Angeles to help address the homeless crisis. I began working as a PR and digital marketing manager with St. Joseph Center.  This non-profit helps people experiencing homelessness and poverty through housing, mental health services, outreach, and education. While working with St. Joseph Center, I had the privilege of rebranding and establishing the organization's digital marketing footprint. Today, SJC operates as a $50 million agency, fundraising over $5 million and serving 13,000 people annually.

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My personal or professional story celebrates life and perseverance. I am grateful for the opportunities to share my talents and help others tell their stories. I believe that, in some way, we help others like ourselves heal. As CEO of Ty Andrews Productions and founder of InnerActive Rhythm, I am passionate about sharing my talents to help adults and children tap into their well-being and thrive.