[Doug]: Welcome to episode nine of Feeling Through Live. I'm really happy to be joined by Billy Pickens today. ]Billy is a recent college grad. He's also going on track to be the next Ryan Seacrest's, he's gunning to be a TV and radio personality has already gotten a decent amount of experience in that space. And we're really excited to talk about that and a whole host of other things. Uh, before we hop into the conversation, I just want to reiterate that June is Deaf-Blind Awareness Month and the last week in June is national DeafBlind Awareness Week. Because Helen Keller's birthday falls on June 27. So the last week in June is recognized as national deaf blind awareness week. Um, one of the ways that we'll be celebrating, um, at the feeling of their experience is we are going to, to a free live stream of the feeling through experience. So we want, uh, as many people to join in as possible, the way you do that is make sure you go to feeling through.com to register, to get your free ticket. Uh, we'll have a lot more info about that on our social media, but please join us, share it with as many people as possible. We want to have as many people there. So with that said, Billy, hello, how's it going? How are you doing today?
[Billy]: I can't complain. Beautiful day sun is shining.
[Doug]: Excellent. Well, you know, just to kick things off on the, uh, theme of Helen Keller and it being DeafBlind Awareness Week, I noticed that on your, the homepage of your website, you have one of my favorite Helen Keller quotes, which is alone. We can do so little together. We can do so much. I'm wondering how you feel about that quote specifically in the current climate and state of the world.
[Billy]: Well, I think that quote is very important and it's been very key to me because one of my, I believe one of my gifts is the ability to relate to people and the ability to have, uh, a diverse group of people that I talk to. Um, being someone who's, uh, both black and a person with a disability, I've always just, I never felt like an outsider per se, but I always felt like I needed to diversify myself, understand different cultures. And, um, I saw the world differently. I didn't see it from a majority perspective. I saw it from a more forward thinking perspective. And so I was able to listen to a lot of people, uh, throughout my life and here in melodical people. And I just realized that, um, we do so much when we're together, we do so much regardless of how you feel about different things and whether we agree with this or disagree with that, I just always realized that we do so much as listening to each other and learning from each other and just having the whole thing of a you're right, or you're wrong, but building together and just making a better world for everyone.
[Billy]: And so that, that quarter has always been something that I've stressed and that's always been important to me. And if you think of all the great movements that have happened in the world, um, they weren't just done by one person. They were done by a group of people that, uh, agreed that this had to be done and they may have had differences in opinion on house done or other things. But when they came together, uh, achievements were made and things happen. And so I just always live by that belief full. It just signifies that belief in it and a special way. So I appreciate that. And Helen Keller is somebody I very much admire. So very important to me.
[Doug]: Yeah, no, that's, that's beautifully put, do you, do you feel, you know, I, do you feel that people, or like, say let's L our, our, um, you know, the state of things in the United States specifically, do you, do you have hope that people can come together? Um, is that, is that something that you see as a possibility given what's happening right now?
[Billy]: Um, I, I like to be optimistic and I believe that, um, and unfortunately it's, it's taken many lives lost to do it, but, um, I believe that there is a sense of, uh, we need to listen to each other. Um, now what that will amount to, I don't know. Um, but I do believe and hope that it amounts to some change and, and a better future for all of us. And I'm grateful that, um, especially my generation is very open minded or going to be very open minded, and we're really trying to strive for that. And I'm grateful to see that happening. I mean, and not just arbitrarily my generation, but yelling hit old as well. It seemed to be, uh, trying to come together. And, um, sir, there's exceptions to that, but I do believe based on what I'm hearing about, I do believe that, uh, hopefully there will be something, some change and some movement. But, yeah, I'm very optimistic, but you never, never know what happens. Um, but I do believe that there could be some hope and shamans. I do, I think he will be signed, but I think what happened tomorrow. No, but I think that it will be something that over time happens and the more people listen to each other. So I'm glad that the people are at least listening to each other. So it's like,
[Doug]: Yeah, no, that's, that's, I think what you're saying is particularly about the younger generation. I mean, certainly seeing, you know, what's happening particularly with protests around the country, certainly. Um, those are largely made up of, of the younger generation and, um, you know, hopefully that bodes well for, for things moving in, in a, in a different and better direction moving forward. What what's, what's the climate been like? Where, where you're at in North Carolina as of late?
[Billy]: I think specifically Charlotte has been a pretty progressive city. Um, I once heard that, um, people say Charlotte is just in York and North Carolina, and I wouldn't disagree with that. I would say that it's gotten pretty diverse. Um, but I mean, in America, you're going to have, uh, people that, uh, don't love this area just in the world in general, you're gonna have people that are aren't open mind gate, or, uh, feel a certain way. And I'm going to have to struggle with that. I don't think it's say a red state or blue state thing. I think it's something that, uh, when people have certain views, they don't necessarily listen, but I'm, I'm glad to see, as I was saying, I'm glad to see that, especially my generation. Um, and especially here in Charlotte, I think that, uh, we're striving to do a better job of trying to listen and try to bring people together. But, um, I think Sean has done a pretty good job, um, as far as I can tell. Um, but there's always going to be still growth and change to be had, and I am an improvement to be had as well. So,
[Doug]: Mmm. Yeah, no, certainly, uh, certainly there's, there's growth and improvement to be had. Um, so I wanna, I want to talk a little bit about, um, your, your pursuit of the entertainment industry. What, what is it that, um,
[Billy]: Is your, is your greatest passion in the entertainment industry? Um, so we have to go back a little bit. So, um, when I was younger, I would say about, I mean, I was kind of loved it, but when I was very young, when I was like seven or eight, um, I used to go, I was, I was an am still a big sports fan. So I used to ride in the car, my mom home from school when I would listen to these sports radio channels. And when we would get to my house, she would say, Oh, Kim going in and I would say, Oh, wait a minute. I'm going to listen to, uh, this sports station, cause I'm really riveted by it. I love the international with the callers and the people. And it seemed like one of the places where there was some comradery and people coming together. Um, this is, we're talking a lot about people coming together and that's important. I think Eric, when he did that, um, especially when I was listening to the radio and I heard people calling in and they were all bonding over sports. It was different people, um, you know, different backgrounds, uh, and they were just all coming together and bonding over sports. Now, uh, people always said that I had a radio voice and I kinda hopped around a lot of careers growing up. I wasn't quite sure whether people said or radio voice and I really loved radio and I really loved TV, but it didn't really Dawn on me until I was about 13, 14 years old. And I started struggling with anxiety and it got to the point where I became extreme introvert. I didn't want to go out and socialize with people. I didn't really want to go to school.
[Billy]: And one of the things I did was I really into watching shows like TMZ and things like that. And they really helped my anxiety. They really helped me having an escape from things that I was dealing with internally and externally as well. And, um, it just really helped me overcome a lot of that. And so, as I got older, I, I also got very much into music. Um, I've been in music since I was little. My parents were very big in the music, my back collected vinyl, but I especially got into it during those times because I was dealing with a lie and I didn't wait, go out and socialize with people. And so I really bonded over, uh, things like music and radio TV. And to me, I guess that was my connection to the world. And then as I got older, I just realized that people weren't necessarily, uh, different in that I wasn't alone in that a lot of people were, uh, using entertainment and TV as a way to escape what they were feeling. And it really made me want to use my platform because not only was I passionate about sports and music and TV, I want to use my platform to both have fun and enjoy talking about those things, but also spreading positive message and help people that have their own mental health struggles or physical health or anxiety or whatever the case may be. And so that's why I really chose, uh, uh, one of the many reasons I really chose entertainment was to help people overcome that and, um, do that as it did for me.
[Doug]: Well, that's, that's certainly a, a great reason to get into entertainment. So what, since you, since that inspiration to, to start that journey, what, what is your experience been? Say it again, since, so, since you were initially inspired to get into entertainment, what, what have you, uh, what have you been able to do thus far?
[Billy]: So, I'm, yeah, I believe in timing and I believe that our purpose has shown to us, um, a lot. And, uh, one of the things that really helped me was, uh, last year I did an internship at the children's hospital downtown here and, uh, Charlotte, North Carolina. And it's actually part of a guess what the Ryan Seacrest foundation. Um, and I found out about it through the student advisory board for disability services at the college that I went to. Um, I had a friend who just so happened to know the coordinator there and she was like, you'd really enjoy it. And so she got us some types and, and whatever coordinator we liked my vision, we liked what I, uh, what did you do there? And I came in there and I just realized, um, as I came in there that I just felt this was truly my purpose. And the reason being is because I felt like I was doing the same thing that I had a really felt I wanted to do. And, um, with the children's hospital, you have a lot of children that are typic in their heart and they're going through a lot and are part of the internship was to do radio shows and through our radio shows, help them overcome those obstacles that they might be dealing with and just help them escape that, uh, in a way. And when the, my show is about positivity, you know, it's all about uplifting people. So it's all about overcoming obstacles, anxiety, depression, just things that they were dealing with. And, um, I really got a positive response to it. Um, I mean, I can't say it who I impacted or what exactly they felt, but what I can say is that I felt like I left there changing it, um, more better than it was when I came in.
[Billy]: And that was important to me was just, um, being of good help and, and being of service to those, those children and helping them, you know, even just a little bit through those hard times. And so, um, that was one way I really started doing that and it was important to me. And, um, I also got a chance to, uh, but to Helen Keller center in New York, I went there twice. And the first time was, uh, in a program where I got a chance to experience the campus and what the campus was like. The second time I went, I went for a seven week program where I got to learn independent living skills and socializing with others. But one of the greatest moments and experiences I had up there was being able to job shadow. And I went around as a different radio stations. If you have a radio stations in the area that got to talk to the program directors and the people there about their experiences and they gave me advice. And I thought that was really great. And, um, one thing I, I learned, uh, just, they didn't have to tell me this, but just their, the things that they would tell me is that we are here for the people. And I think especially now, uh, during these times during the state of the world, it's important as an entertainer to be there for the people. And I don't think of myself as someone who's trying to make a million dollars or have a big house. Um, I want to be sir. I mean, sure. I think like any human, I want that, but also I think that I want to be a service for the people and, uh, to use my platform and my passion and my gift to help others and influence others and hopefully make a big impact on the world as a whole.
[Doug]: Yeah. Well, That's, that's certainly a good, uh, a very noble pursuit. Um, so just kind of, I want to walk back a little bit, um, to, you know, you talked about, you know, dealing with, with anxiety at certain points in certain ways, in which like your pursuit of the entertainment industries is helped, um, channel that and deal with that. But can you talk to me about, you know, maybe some somethings that come up when you think about growing up or are particular challenges that you face that might have, you know, participated in that anxiety before you were able to, you know, find your way and channeling it through your passion?
[Billy]: Um, I thought one of the biggest, uh, challenges was, uh, advocating for myself and that was something I had to do a lot growing up, um, because a lot of people, especially in school and teachers, they don't necessarily, um, they're not, they're, they, they have good intentions, but they don't necessarily know how to, she's a deaf blind person. And so growing up, I had to after myself a lot, and when I was younger, I used to put a lot of bags at the hands of my caregivers or my mom or whoever was around. Cause it seemed convenient. Um, it's not that I didn't have a voice or make my own decisions. It was just that I prefer to just let them do that and just go by my day. And, um, I wasn't really able to attend my IEP meetings since I was 14. So I was like, well, they're going on this? They, you know, they can take care of that. Um, so I think that early on, I became, uh, very shy by asking for myself diet and know how to, and it wasn't until about sixth grade. And I had some teeth specifically how to teach her that I was a math teacher and I hated math and still like it. But, um, no back to anyone does like it.
[Doug]: Now you're going to meet both I'm on the same page as you know.
[Billy]: Yeah. But in sixth grade I had a teacher and it was, it was a struggle with communication between my math teacher and uh, my other teachers and my parents and families, a lot of voices, uh, in the mix. And I when really asked me, what do you think worked best for you? Because a lot of people thought that they knew what would work best for me. And so, um, it really, it really caused a lot of anxiety because this is so many voices in the mix and I was struggling in the school and my mom's ready to put me in the school for the blind, but I wanted to be around my friend and say, and be a regular school. So I just, I really fought to stay there. And some of my matches are he said that just give me three days with him, just let me work with him. And I will make sure that he understands the math and it, that, um, I made, uh, I had a feeling great about, I turned it into a passing grade. And so, but the one thing I learned from that is the importance of using my voice and speaking for myself about what I'm dealing with or what works best for me. And so I started writing a letter to my teachers and the letter. I would just tell them all my accommodations, everything I needed, but most importantly in the letter, I would say, if you have a question about me, talk to me and, um, it was important because I think that I create a very creative, a big, uh, lane for me to really communicate specifically with my teachers and, uh, not for them to go through everyone else communicate with me. And it really has changed a lot, um, teachers really what, either way to communicate with me and then realize, Oh, he has a voice. He can do this. But the one thing is, is I had to constantly do that.
[Doug]: You'd mentioned, uh, being a student at H can see you were talking about that a little bit, but can you tell me, um, just paint the picture for me as far as like coming into that situation and then like kind of what, what you learned or gained from being there?
[Billy]: Um, definitely, um, well I have nothing but good things to say about H Nancy. Um, I love the center. I love the people. Um, and I will say that coming the first time I went, it was a really good experience, but I knew that it was just a trial, like basically. So I was just going near it to see what it was, like, see what the program, what was like, and get a feel for the campus and siding, think of it as an intense program or like that, um, the second time going into it, I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't know if people are going to be strict and they were going to yell or I didn't know what to expect. Um, so coming into it, uh, I was just kinda a little anxious about it. I wasn't sure I was definitely excited to go and I was excited to maybe learn something, but I wasn't sure if it would be the greatest experience, but, um, from the time I was there from the first day, you weren't really welcomed me and it felt like I was going there other, and that's the thing.
[Billy]: They, they treat each other like a family. I know all this come back to this whole, uh, being together a part. I know it sounds cliche, but it really was when each can see embody in his, what he's came, see your bodies. So when I was up there, you're all kind of achieving the same goal. Everyone there, whether you are fully deaf or hard of hearing deaf, uh, whatever the case, we were all out there, just trying to shoot the same hole and gain our independent living skills, gain our job skills. I bet ourselves, and I flooded you all bonded over that. And so every turned out to be a great experience for me, the teachers were amazing. They were hands on with their approach. They had the technology or the resources. They knew how to approach my, my needs and make sure that I got what I needed and learn what I could while I was up there. Um, I took cooking classes and, uh, I've learned how to, uh, organize my clothes and color them. And, um, also my favorite, the job experience, um, I got to go different sites and learn about job skills and different things I would need to achieve and have success. And it was just, it was a great experience at one thing they recommended I did, which I did was write in their newsletter since I left to right as well. I'm going to get some just speaking. And so I wrote their newsletter and it got a great reception for it. They loved what I wrote and wrote two pieces and it was just a great experience. And so, um, I will always have a great amount of support and appreciation for the Helen Keller center, um, what they've done and what they continue to do in my life, where they can see to mean to me, um, as an individual at their plant individual and as an individual of generals. So, um, yeah, it was, it was a great experience
[Doug]: Prior to, prior to being a student there, had you been a student in other situations where, where you felt like you were in the same boat as your peers, is that something that had experienced before being an HPMC as far as like, have you been around, like, have you been around a lot of other students who are deaf blind prior to being at HCMC?
[Billy]: I'm not exactly. I'm not exactly. Um, at that degree, um, the past few years, because my mom's on the deaf blind project, she's a coding director. So I've had a chance to be around a lot of deaf blind people in North Carolina. Um, but it was exactly the same cause you're gonna ride them regularly. And I think that may have been the difference was that at East TMC, I was around those people regularly. Maybe we shared meals together. We hung out together, spend time together. Um, and they were just, they were thinking we were there for each other. And so, um, I had that black friend here, but, um, it was just, I think, I think the comradery and the ability for us to all be in one place at a given time and an extended time was I think when they separated each team C in terms of, um, how I approached and learn from other deaf blind people. So, um, yeah, I would think that's, I think that's a fair point say, but I also think that, that it was also more just me being around them so consistently and on regular basis,
[Doug]: W you know, I was recalling, we, we, uh, chatted once before you've mentioned, um, something that you'd like to do as a segment on your show would be, um, I think you've referred to it as tell me something, I don't know, a segment called that was that it, well, maybe I'd like to, um, throw that to you as a segment and asked you to tell me something that I don't know.
[Billy]: I don't know. It's a good question. Um, tell you something you don't know. Um,
[Doug]: Just spoiler alert. I don't know a lot of things. So did you say something, see,
[Billy]: Um, did you, well, I'll just tell you something by myself that I don't think I told you, but did you know that I've been to all 50 States? Oh, wow. All 50 States. How long did that take for summers? And, um, it actually started because, uh, when I was younger, I was a bachelor, a math thing. Again, I was doing a math project with my dad and my dad had traveled loud with his mom because my grandmother loves to travel outscore things. She doing, she's been to a lot of places around the world. And so, uh, he was telling him about his experience and I really wanted to experience that. Um, and I kept asking him, what's it like out there? What's it like out there? And he would give me descriptions of it. He would tell me, um, what things were like, but I'm more of a hands on person.
[Billy]: Like I like to experience things and physically be there. I think he saw that. And so he said, let's go on a trip out West to Mexico. And it's crazy how it started. So we started driving and we said, we're just gonna go to New Mexico. And back you get a Tennessee. We say, let's go to the grand Canyon because this might be the last time we do base. So went to the grand Canyon. He said, we love this so much. Let's go to LA. Um, I didn't see Doug there, but, um, yeah. So when she got to LA and then, um, after that, we'd liked it so much. We went basically here, went down South to the whirlwinds and, um, just said that we just love doing this so much that we started traveling all over the country. And, um, I'll tell you another interesting story. Uh, what happened? We didn't travel with a lot of money necessarily. We were just, it was very unplanned and we said, we just want to do this. And, um, it was really, really cool, but we were at a restaurant in Alabama once, and my dad was telling me about, um, all the places you've got to save me next year to the Montana and North Dakota, Yellowstone, Wyoming, and all of a sudden, there's this guy that comes up and drops $200 on a table and says, take yourself out West. And my dad's like, why? Like, we didn't really know those guys to random guy that came up and we just talked to him. Got no. And he said, I've been to all these places. And I just saw that your son wanted to be there. So, um, I wanted to help you out pitch in. And so we thanked him and you went out West in a rural kind of a thank you letter, not really expecting anything back, sort of a thank you letter.
[Billy]: And we kind of told him at the layer that we would go to Alaska, which was the second to last day. Cause my mom took me to widen. My dad said it was too much of a, uh, a laid back environment. He liked camping and my mom like the beach. So she told me there, but be told sky we're going to Alaska. And we sent him a letter and he sends a thousand dollars, says take a central Alaska. So, um, what I learned by that is you never know who you might meet out there. And I wrote it who am really, you have helped me. And that's not just, um, basically go around the room and I thought that's symbolic in life. It, there's nothing wrong with making connections and reaching out to never know who might be out there to really help you and really, uh, give you something to help you with something great life. And so I learned that to those trips, um, in addition, just learning about this country. And so that was a very big experience in my life.
[Doug]: Wow. That's a that's I don't think a lot of people can share that particular travel story. Um, but it sounds pretty amazing. Um, what, what, is there anything else that you learned about, I mean, I imagine in traveling the country really just in four summers, which is pretty short, um, seeing such diversity of places and people, um, what else, how else did that inform you as far as like your understanding of your own country and moving forward and what you're doing?
[Billy]: Um, well, first and foremost, I realized we had a very beautiful country and, um, you know, a lot of people say, and I, and I am guilty of it too loud. We'll just say, let's go to the Eiffel tower and let's throw all these expensive places. And there's so many different places, just, uh, you're looking for the place in the middle, no weird you go to Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, just very quiet for something that's sunshine and beats is a why in Florida, a great places as well. There's so many great places throughout the country. And it was just a beautiful experience, just experienced that and know that. And, and just, uh, as you mentioned so much diversity and the places and the people, we met, people that were from different areas, weren't from different areas. Um, we interacted with a lot of different people with different backgrounds. And, um, I think that it's taught me so much about the beauty of this country, but also the immediate certain people. And, you know, as much as we as much hardship as there's going on in the world, I think there are a lot of great people out there. A lot of people who, um, are just going to different things. And, um, it's important to really diversify ourselves and understand different cultures and different backgrounds. And, uh, it's helped me just build myself and make myself the best person that I can be. And, uh, the most caring and understanding the person I can be so instant, both, uh, both experience and that it was, um, beautiful in the country and also just diversified, uh, my understanding of people and, and just the places that I went to.
[Doug]: So, you know, I want to touch on with what we saw, we saw about 17 minutes left. Terrible. I want to talk about, no, you, you, you just graduated in December, right? So as a recent college grad, um, and one who's very, I think very fortunate to know exactly what he wants to do. W how do you feel entering the world and the workforce at a time? That really is one of the most, like uncertain times we've ever seen. W how do you, how do you negotiate that with being someone who's like, just stepping out into that space for the first time?
[Billy]: Um, well, there, to me, there's a pro and a con. So, um, the pro was that I really was, uh, I kind of made the decision that I didn't want to work. I mean, I wouldn't be against it if I had to, I didn't want to work a regular nine to five job. I wouldn't do something that was different in all schedule and just do a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and also worked flexibility in my life as well. Um, and so I think that was something that I really think about. And, um, yes, the struggle of that is that especially during this time, uh, is definitely harder finding work. It's definitely harder finding employers that are hiring, um, you know, so many people have lost jobs during this time. And so it's definitely a lot more difficult and it's been a struggle.
[Billy]: But one thing I will say is that I have had the mindset of being able to adjust. And I mean, I've overcome so many obstacles. And I think that what one piece of advice would be to everyone out here is, uh, have a mindset of adjustment as hard as it is. Um, and I know for me, I can be a big planner sometimes too. I can be someone who doesn't like being spontaneous, but I go back to my travels around the country. That's another thing I learned is that it's okay to be spontaneous. Cause we had no idea when we got on the road banking in California, it was just something we did and we had to take that chance and do it. So sometimes you have to take the chances necessary to get through your experiences in light. And, um, and so it's okay to have some, some down moments or some moments of doubt. I think we all do, but it's also important to be willing, to adjust different environments, to be willing, to make the best of every situation. I think that's what I've been trying to do. And thankfully, because I had the mindset of someone didn't really want to just settle for one thing, I really have different avenues that I can wait think about. And I'm pushing myself towards, like, not only I want to be ready on TV, but also want to write books and be in the music industry and do a lot of different things. And so I think it's important to have that mindset and be willing to adjust and not so much backup plans, but also to be willing to adjust to the plan you may already have. And maybe some things have any big change, but that's okay because in the day you're going to be successful when you're going to reach, reach the goals you want to achieve. So I don't let this moment, or like this struggle put, put you down or put you in a place, uh, that we can film. Like you can get where you want to go. Cause gonna always be a way, even if it's not the way you expected, there's always a way to get somewhere. And so I think that with that mindset, that's kind of how I've adjusted to finding work in a span.
[Doug]: Well, on that note, you know, and I think that's an amazing mindset to have, but how do you relate to relating that mindset to what's happening right now, as far as, um, with this, with the really the protest sweeping around the country, as a response to the killing and George Floyd and everything, that's come in the wake of that, you know, being a black man, who's also a black male with a disability. Um, I'm wondering how, how you, how you feel in the context of how you're perceived by other people and how you deal with that.
[Billy]: Um, is definitely a bitter sweet feeling. Um, and I think that sometimes people it's just such a thing as microaggressions and I mean, sure you have people that aren't open by dating just, uh, don't want to attempt to think about others and think about what others might be going through. But I think in my experience, especially as a black person with disability, it's been a lot of, um, them not wanting to ask me questions because they feel they might be offensive or they feel they might make me uncomfortable. And I've also to make clear to people. One of the things that I do, um, when I was on a student advisory board and even now when I'm giving speeches and, and one of the things like this is, um, reminding them that I want people to know who I am. And, um, if, if one thing I've learned, cause I was in a student advisory board where I was in a club meeting, uh, for one of our clubs on campus with people with disabilities and someone asked me, they said, do you ever get tired of as a black person?
[Billy]: Do you ever get tired? Uh, educating people? Cause I was talking about the educating and teaching people and I said, no. And the reason why I said no is because yes, there, there may be. Um, some people would, I refuse to be educated, but at least in a room of 10 people, if I can educated, if I can educate one person, that's one less person will not be educated and walk around with, um, with ideas that don't align with good things or don't align with equality or don't align with any. So, um, and also, and that's also one person who could air force go educate someone else that they know. And that's what I tell all my friends, especially my white friends, is that it's important because they can reach them in ways that maybe I can't. So talk to your family, talk to your friends about privilege, use your privilege to educate others I am. And if I can just educate one person, like educate all 10 people in that room, that's one person that would go educated and other. And so I really to do, I got to use my voice and to educate people about who I am and remind people it's okay to, to listen. It's okay to ask questions. Um, and I read that you asked me I'm worth going dating. Don't ask then if you do ask, um, something that might be uncomfortable because I'd rather you learn, I'd rather you understand where I'm coming from and listen. So, and I'm glad to see that. I think I mentioned this earlier, but I'm glad to see that that's happening more. Now. I just see that it seems like people want to listen to each other more. And I hope that that, that just doesn't happen in a black community. That also happens in a disability community as well, that, um, we can listen to one another and that people I, that may not be able to relate necessarily Tim listen to us as well and understand our needs as people.
[Billy]: So, um, I think the fact that they're listening is important and you just never know what you might learn from somebody, um, easily to just judge and say, Oh, I know what I know. And I'm good with that, but just, just try you don't agree with everything. They stand for it. Just try to listen to them and you never know what you might learn from that person. And so I think that that's, what's been important. That's why it's been so important to use my voice. Um, especially with entertainment is to bring people together because people bond over sports bond, over movies and TV and music, but it's important to maybe use those trivial things that people, uh, doing their spirit time to, uh, bring up different issues, raise other issues and, uh, bring people together in that way as well. We can start here and we can build from there and become better people and better people to each other. Because do you feel like you've been able to have more conversations recently with your peers, with people in your life then how has what's happened lately to spark more conversations? Yeah, I think that I've been guided to do that. Um, and I think I mentioned this earlier. I was never trying to be someone who, uh, did speeches or somewhere. I mean, when I was early in college, all I cared about was making friends and getting Domino's pizza ate at 12 o'clock at night. Um, that wasn't thinking that I would one day even be here if, um, I say I enjoy it and I love it. But at, at 1817, you're not really thinking about those days. Um, I recall going to debt, blog conferences and not really wanting to be there rather being my friends and things like that. But I realized that the situations I was going through were relatable and people are going to them as well.
[Billy]: And I think the biggest motivation for me is I didn't want people to go through what I went through, um, or other people may have gone through. And so I want us to use my platform to help other people. And I think that that's put me in a position where I came at those, um, like I did in college and the student advisory board or, um, like I do with my speeches. And, um, because I had the opportunity to speak to somebody, diverse people. I believe it is my purpose. And, uh, it's important for me to, uh, speak, speak up and have a voice and provide a voice for those who may not have a voice or may not feel like they have a voice. And so I think that that's, uh, what's been important to me and some grateful for the opportunity and the platform to do that inside. I think that that's what that's given me. Hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Um, ECC as well. Um, ma where my mom works, especially well chosen assistance center, um, where they, they have parent educators and they talk to parents and my mom talks to a lot of different parents, um, from, from different backgrounds and work on different things. And she advocates for them as well. Um, because there might be some people that are struggling, whether it's a racial issues, whether it's issues with a school disability issues. And she, she works to advocate for them as well. And so I go out, I'm a part of the youth leadership team there. So we do meetings together and we meet up and it's also a great diverse group of people with many different disabilities. And we go out and do panel discussions as well with different parents and teachers about our experiences. And, you know, the one thing that I always say is that, um, I'm grateful to have a voice I want to cause he would have a voice, but I think my main goal is not just for me to have a voice, but for me to provide a voice for others and for me to provide a platform for others as well.
[Billy]: So, um, I always, when I do my speeches or I do my prison, teachers always say, I hope that yet, you know, maybe I inspired you or I impacted you what a great way. But I also hope that in addition to me, impact and UI impact you to go out and use your voices well for good and help others. And so, um, and if I did that, I feel like I've achieved my goal and I've had success in that.
[Doug]: I love that. I love that. That's so that's so beautifully put, well, what kind of, um, for the speaking engagements you've had, what, what can you tell us about some of those specifically, what kind of in speaking, speaking engagements, have you participated in thus far?
[Billy]: So, um, specifically I, I speak to a deaf blind community or disability community in general. Um, the last couple of speeches I gave were, uh, mainly about self advocacy self-determination and asked me to bring diversity of, I speak to teachers, students. Um, I spoke at the South Eastern, uh, for upline youth. Um, I was also a mentor there and, um, I really, I really try to use my voice to, uh, both explain my journey and what I've been through and also educate others on, on AB obstacles or having their journey. Um, and so those are mainly the speeches that I've been doing lately, but I'm really excited because I just received an offer to speak for a Microsoft or the Microsoft direct. There isn't a plane state. So in August I'm fighting for the South Dakota, um, and speak to them. And that's a whole, another diverse group of people was going to be government officials, corrections officials, and, uh, a lot of different people.
[Billy]: And I think the reason I'm excited about that is because that's so many people with power and with influence. And if I can use my voice to talk to the people in high places with power and influence, um, I can hopefully, uh, use my influence to influence them in a positive way. And so I'm excited about that. So the messaging won't necessarily change, but, um, I'm glad that the diversity of people and the type of people I'm speaking to walk will change over time. And so, um, those are mainly my demographics and also when I speak
[Doug]: That's, that's amazing. So w with the last few minutes, cause you were starting to talk about the future, um, in, in that future and speaking engagement, but what else, what else does the future hold for you? Um, both in, you know, what you already know is coming up and also what you, what you hope to be able to do in the near future?
[Billy]: Well, I'm, I'm very optimistic and I'm also very open to what the future holds. Um, yeah, I really, uh, hope soon to get into the entertainment industry and really, uh, do radio and TV fully. And, uh, we're from different places around the country, um, where that is and what that entails. Um, I'm not quite sure yet, uh, still working on that, but I do believe the future holds something good. And, um, I definitely, my feature now is, is, uh, less about where I am and more about what I can do and the impact that I have on people. Um, so whether that's here in Charlotte or whether that's in a York or LA or somewhere overseas, um, I think my goal is to go out into the world and have a positive impact on people. Um, and so, uh, that, to me, that's, what's the most important part about the future and it wouldn't hold well. So it's not so much where I want to be, where I can be to have the most impact and the best, uh, positive influence on as many people as possible, right. A world.
[Doug]: Well, what know, I, I, I'm wondering when you're coming out to LA so that we can reunite there one second happen,
[Billy]: Uh, when, when all this is over, I'm definitely gonna make it sure about the, um, amongst women, but I, I definitely would, I'd definitely love to come out to LA and, um, definitely and definitely beat out.
[Doug]: Can you actually wa how did, can you, um, describe how we met each other in the first place?
[Billy]: So, um, it's, it was a pretty interesting thing. Um, so Doug has a feeling through experience and, uh, my mom was telling me there's a premiere of a movie called feeling third, um, here in RA in Raleigh, North Carolina. And I was like, wow, that would be pretty interesting. Um, I'm, I'm a big movie fan, so it should be good. And so I went, and I was also asked to speak on the panel, um, as to filling their movie with other deaf blind people about my experience. Um, one of the things that I'm doing now, and, um, that was how I met Doug and I all started with, he enjoyed the movie, um, such a great movie, and I had a great experience there. And, um, it, it meant a lot to me. So, uh, that was how we met and we've been, we've been tight ever since, so yeah,
[Doug]: Yeah, no, it was, uh, it was, that was actually the very, the very first screening, the, the premiere premiere of the feeling or experience that you were not just attended, but were a part of. Um, and it, it's just, it's really cool to be able to circle back almost exactly a year later, a little bit more than a year, but almost exactly a year later to, to sit here and speak with you today. So I really, I think that's such a great full circle, like three 65 moment. Um, and it's really just it's I know at the time you were, you know, you were a college senior, um, speculating about what you'd be doing, um, after, and it's so great to, to hear, you know, the amazing speaking engagements you've already done and what I'm sure is going to be a very, very bright future for you. And I just hope, uh, when you are the neck, not just the net when you're not, not, it's not the next writing secrets when you are the Billy Pickens, um, that you you'd come back and sell, talk with us here and feeling through live again.
[Billy]: Definitely, definitely. I will. You'll be first on the list too, you know, if there's any, if there's any way I can help, we have to move you or whatever, I'm, I'm more than willing to help. So, um, that's definitely gonna, that'd be, uh, a promise.
[Doug]: Awesome. Well, I'm gonna, we got that on tape, so I'll be able to play that back for ya. You can't go back.
[Billy]: Yeah. You play it and then give me something in writing to sign.
[Doug]: Perfect. Well, on that note, um, Billy, thank you so much for joining us today. We'll definitely, definitely not to come back and thank you for,
[Billy]: Thank you for having me. It was like honor and a pleasure. Awesome. Um, thank you for everyone who tuned in. I know we had some technical difficulties, but I will be able to upload a really clean version of the conversation today without some of the glitchiness and pause that we had in the middle. Um, but thank you for those, um, continued, uh, to watch afterward. And, um, again, a reminder, um, please, uh, check out, um, feeling through.com to register for your free ticket for the feeling through experience live stream. That's going to happen on June 25th at 4:00 PM Pacific time, 7:00 PM Eastern. Um, it's going to be in celebration of deaf blind awareness week, and we want, as many of you there as possible to join in now is really the time to, uh, facilitate connection. Um, and the feeling through experience has always been about, um, the power of human connection and, and, and people coming together despite whatever differences they may have. And I think that's definitely something that, that is needed at this time. So the more people that, um, we have that are a part of that, the better. So, um, again, it's just go to feeling through.com to register for your free ticket, and you'll get more information about that soon. And, uh, thank you for everyone tuned in. We look forward to seeing you again next week. Same time, same place. Bye.