By: Kylie Kinnett Photo by: Rachel Benavides
You’re a man of many talents. From running a non-profit to being in a band, what is your favorite part about what you do?
I have to stay busy and diversify myself. I used to design components for the F-35 Lightning II for Northrop Grumman. Now, I work with my family home health business, Save Home Health Care. I also play guitar for Somethin’ Silky, Venus Lily, and occasionally Clarissa Serna’s band, and produce music, as well. I run a non-profit and build my own guitar pedals on the side. So, you could definitely say I can never be too idle with my time. It’s not just about staying busy – it’s about being busy, productive, and doing things that better myself and mankind. I surround myself with a diverse, motley group of people who challenge me culturally and intellectually every day. Doing so keeps me connected, diverse, open-minded, intelligent, sane and accepting of all races, creeds, and colors. That is what makes me a man of “many talents” – my desire to experience all the things life has to offer.
What first inspired you to get so involved in our community and start Enrich Local?
I was born in Guyana, South America, but grew up in Corpus Christi – so, Corpus is home for me. Guyana is considered a 3rd world country compared to the U.S. I know where my family and I have come from and where we are now. I feel that it is my duty to give back to the community that we call home, so we created Enrich Local to give back. Our flagship event is the CC Hot Tamale Fest. The festival was partly created because some people say that there isn’t much to do in Corpus. I beg to differ! I wanted to create Enrich Local and CC Hot Tamale Fest to add to the things to do in our great city. In addition, the festival helps to promote everything that makes our community great through music, food, and art.
What is the purpose behind Enrich Local?
Enrich Local’s mission is to promote cultural awareness in the local community through music, art, and cuisine. Enrich Local organizes events to help raise proceeds for different charitable endeavors every year.
What do you hope your contribution to our community is?
Communities are made to protect, nurture, and incubate our future. That future is our kids. Each contribution Enrich Local makes is toward endeavors that focus on the arts and education, which aid in the advancement of our youth.
Tell me a little bit about Somethin’ Silky. How did you guys get started and where do you hope to go?
Somethin’ Silky has been an ever-evolving band. We started roughly 5 years ago with a simple aim to do what we love and entertain people in the process. We have released a self-titled EP on Spotify and iTunes and enjoyed making it. We play everything from funk to R&B, hip hop, rock, blues, indie, funk, and pop. We continue to create music and just want to take it where it organically goes.
Favorite part about the Coastal Bend?
If you have ever lived or know someone who lives in the Midwest, you know they suffer from this one thing: land lock! We are blessed be one of the cities that has our very own coastline. On any given day, you can go out to the bay front in the morning and marvel at the beauty. Not many Americans can experience that!
