Douglas Henry Lewis Jr

Douglas Lewis Jr. is a creative storyteller, motivational speaker, and arts educator committed to unlocking the power of community for artists and makers. Drawing from his own journey through hardship and healing, Douglas believes that authentic connection fuels creative expression and personal growth. Through his work—whether writing, mentoring students, or curating digital archives on TikTok—he creates spaces where creatives feel seen, supported, empowered, and represented to build lasting bonds. For years he had a history of shutting down emotionally, avoiding conflict even in healthy relationships, cutting others off without explanation, and isolating himself due to unhealed internalized shame and a steep history of gaslighting/enmeshment/bullying/emotional abuse. In short, it was difficult for him to allow others to love him. As a result, he immersed himself in the fashion world on 5th Avenue, substituting superficiality and appearances with his internal value. After a turbulent ejection from his Harlem apartment in New York City including sporadic couch surfing and homeless nights on the MTA/JFK Airport as a broke freelancer, he eventually surrendered to his NC roots to take care of his paternal grandmother, heal his inner child, and orchestrate deep shadow work and pattern recognition. Following Taoist philosophy of stillness and Wu Wei, he found internal freedom in the daily practice of creativity, ancestral research, cleaning as recommended by Zen Buddhist monks, relationship, community service, and mentorship. By continually releasing most of his physical possessions and staying grounded in the midst of projections, he was able to unpeel the complex layers of the onion so that he could find unique ways of serving others -- which subsequently freed him from thinking he was alone. By dedicating himself to a service through steady small acts, almost any and all self-absorbed ego from offense was eradicated from the source. His advice: Taking an honest look at yourself and previous trauma is not easy. Sometimes, it can be ugly. But once it is confronted, one is free to finally show up in ways to actually benefit the planet.