Meet Torin Floyd | Artist, Singer-songwriter, Humanitarian, & Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Torin Floyd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Torin, why did you pursue a creative career?
It has been said throughout the many generations amongst the many tribes of humanity all over the world that All is mind and the universe is actually us All experiencing our mental energy in the physical over what we call a lifetime. I Am singer-songwriter, Humanitarian, Torin Floyd and my thought process behind starting my own small businesses was honestly to pursue my artistic talents and succeed in my creative skills. I just wanted to be free and seriously starting my own businesses was literally about experiencing our inalienable human rights and living sovereignly. As a creative small business owner I realized that by owning my art and owning my creations as living contributions to the world I am being a true master and taking responsible over myself, my actions, and my generations of cells that are literally the traditions and Heritage of my ancestors that have came before me and are still living amongst us now. I can assure you that being an artist is not a vein cause of self gratification but it is an actual liberation from the dependency and occupancy of a consumer world who will market and sell you the illusions of a synthetic fantasy and call it freedom, but will never ever highlight the example of those who have been truly living free and continue to do so in Truth and Love. I decided to be that living Proof from a very young age I have always felt connected to the history of art, culture, and the progression of humanity. Living in accordance with nature I witnessed how all inventions and true technology are extensions of understanding just how deep our connection to nature is so that we are able to build directly from it and be inspired by it enough to share with the world as resource’s that sustains us and grows us in harmony with the living world around us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is my life and my life is my art the beautiful reflection of my heart, mind, body, and soul channeled through colors, textures, sounds, melodies, and visuals is my way of communicating with the world the intuitive language of life. I want the world to know that not only can we be anything but we are already everything, and once we accept that universal truth on a daily basis we can then feel empowered and informed enough to create the life we are all meant to have according to our biological design. I turned my artistic personality into three separate businesses House of Ra LLC which is my certified LGBTQ owned businesses where I focus on creating better, healthier alternative lifestyle products. Torinsworld Entertainment LLC which focuses on bringing positive and equally balance music, media, and visual content that is purposely created to inspire, educate, and connect you to the universe within. My newest extension The Cosmic Prince LLC where I take my intuitive and holistic approach to providing spiritual guidance and encouragement coaching through metaphysical correspondence for people who want to live a balanced spiritual life in harmony.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles has so many beautiful hidden gems and so many open portals that connect the modern day life to history, past, present, and future. The transition and traditions of the Heritage, culture, and history is alive and present today. As an artist and a small business owner I take great honor in living the traditions and Heritage of my culture in today’s time and being a guide to my friends and family I would show my friend who is visiting Los Angeles all of the historical preservations as well as the inspirational innovations that will leave them feeling ready to create a future that is inspired by the traditions of our past.

1. Bruce’s Beach was a beach resort in the city of Manhattan Beach, that was owned by and operated for African Americans. It provided the African American community with opportunities unavailable at other beach areas because of racial segregation. The victory at California’s Bruce’s Beach, improperly seized 100 years ago, has reignited the conversation around land restitution for Black Americans.

2. The Hollywood Sculpture Garden is an outdoor garden in Los Angeles dedicated to the display of sculptures by various artists, including local, national, and international artists. It was founded in May 2012, by Dr. Robby Gordon, and is located at 2430 Vasanta Way, Los Angeles in the Hollywood Hills.

3. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 127 acres, is an arboretum, botanical garden, and historical site nestled into hills near the San Gabriel Mountains in Arcadia, California, United States. Open daily, it only closes on Christmas Day.

4. The Japanese Garden is a 6.5-acre public Japanese garden in Los Angeles, located in the Lake Balboa district in the central San Fernando Valley, adjacent to the Van Nuys and Encino neighborhoods.

5. The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, known as The Huntington, is a collections-based educational and research institution established by Henry E. Huntington and Arabella Huntington in San Marino, California, United States.

6. Griffith Observatory is an observatory in Los Angeles, California on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest.

7. The California Science Center is a state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, next to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the University of Southern California

8. The African American mesum
The California African American Museum is a museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Museum focuses on enrichment and education on the cultural heritage and history of African Americans with a focus on California and western United States. Admission is free to all visitors. Founded: 1977

9. Blackstreet USA Puppet Theatre — Mid-City
Everyone in LA is familiar with the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, and Blackstreet USA Puppet Theatre deserves similar recognition. Founded by Gary Jones, a designer with roots in Chicago, the theatre got started in the ’70s. His shows feature the Yuppets (Young Urban Professional Puppets), an army of over 100 puppets that he’s designed over the years

10. Biddy Mason Memorial Park — Downtown
Located between Spring and Broadway in DTLA is the Biddy Mason Memorial Park, a tribute to one of the first settlers of a little pueblo called Los Angeles. Freed from slavery after traveling as a captive with the Smith family, she set up her homestead at this exact location. Learn a little history about an early pioneer of the city and afterward, grab a bite at a Black-owned restaurant; the Jamaican eatery abeautifullife, which is located just a few blocks north of Biddy Mason Memorial Park on Spring Street.

11. Tom Bradley Room — Downtown
Named for former Mayor Tom Bradley (the first, and to date, only Black person to serve as mayor of LA), this room in City Hall provides incredible views of the Civic Center and the rest of Downtown

12. Paul Revere Williams Architecture Tour
Paul R. Williams isn’t an important figure just because he designed some of LA County’s most iconic buildings. As a Black architect, he overcame racism to become a leader in the field and an inspiration for future generations. There are many buildings built by Williams, including the 28th Street YMCA Building, Second Baptist Church, Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building, and the Paul Revere Williams Residence. The LA Conservancy has a self-guided driving tour for $10-$15 available online.

13. Fowler Museum — Westwood
UCLA’s Fowler Museum is dedicated to modern and classic art from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas. The African art exhibits are particularly noteworthy, and there are often excellent special exhibits by African artists

14. Mack and Jackie Robinson Memorial — Pasadena
Jackie Robinson’s hometown also honored the athlete with a small memorial to him and his brother. Located in the Civic Center area of Pasadena, the memorial features two large sculptures of Jackie and his older brother Mack, who was also a pioneering Black athlete. There’s also a statue of Jackie Robinson at Dodger Stadium, though he never played there…

15. Jackie Robinson Stadium — Westwood
Jackie Robinson, who was raised in Pasadena, played baseball, football, basketball, and track at UCLA. He became a legend and national icon when he broke pro baseball’s color barrier playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. UCLA honored his incredible legacy by naming its baseball field Jackie Robinson Stadium

16. Leimert Park
Leimert Park is one of several hubs of African American culture in LA and is one of the city’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods. Take a walk around the center of the district, Leimert Park Village which is lined with shops and galleries on 43rd Street and Degnan Boulevard. Visit exhibitions at Art + Practice on 43rd, multimedia art exhibits at KAOS Network on Leimert Blvd., peruse books at Eso Won Books, catch a performance at The World Stage on Degnan Blvd., and check out the gear at Ride On! Bike Shop. Then, for a bite to eat, there’s Ackee Bamboo serving up Jamaican cuisine and Azla Ethiopian Eatery.

Coffee and Plants
Pasadena
This spot is the answer to all of your aesthetic coffee spot dreams! With lattes, lemonades, pastries, and sandwiches on the menu and plants all over the place, you won’t ever want to leave. Pro tip: The blue lavender latte is the most Instagrammable beverage to order!

Stuff I Eat
Inglewood
Since 2008, the oh-so-vibrant Babette Davis has been spreading her positive energy and knowledge of health in the form of vegan food at her restaurant, Stuff I Eat. One of the hottest items on the menu is the Lava Burrito! It’s a wet burrito topped with sautéed crimini mushrooms, broccoli, signature sauce, salsa, guacamole, and vegan cheese sauce.

Baba’s Vegan Cafe
Chesterfield Square
After wowing South Los Angeles with their vegan Jamaican patties and African diasporic food via pop-up, Baba’s Vegan Cafe opened a brick-and-mortar last November. With fillings like curry potato, soy beef, sweet yam, and cabbage, this plant-based restaurant is winning over new customers, one patty at a time!

Jackfruit Cafe
Historic South Central
Whichever way you like your jackfruit, Chef Angela Means Kaaya has you covered! In the style of birria tacos, carnitas, and BBQ, get ready to obsess over the many ways to enjoy Jackfruit Cafe’s namesake ingredient. Other dishes to try include smoothie bowls, burgers, crab cakes, and more.

Happy Ice
Melrose & Food Trucks
Where are all our East Coast natives at? Happy Ice’s colorful, refreshing scoops of Philadelphia water ice are so nostalgic! Their scoops are nut-free, fat-free, vegan, and so bright, you can’t help but smile. If you’re at the brick-and-mortar in Melrose, be sure to get a swirl of oat milk soft serve on top of your water ice

The Pasadena fish Market. Specializes in homemade organic Jamaican seafood cuisine this family owned community orientated staple of Pasadena City and it’s historic Orange Grove boulevard.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow this is amazing because there are honestly so many great and amazing people who have been a part of my life and my journey who probably know how much they have affected and inspired my actions towards living peacefully in my greatness. And then there are some people who have moved on from this lifetime into another space and place who have really really shaped and molded my understanding of humanity and my purpose in my humanity through expressing my gifts and talents, and if you would allow me too I would like to dedicate this to Dick Gregory, James Baldwin, Dr sebi, and my Grandparents Directors guild of America Director Mattie Caruthers and Anthony Caruthers who own their own production company Mac Mattie productions and have been creating their own independent productions since I was a child, that experience has truly allowed me to understand the foundation and work ethic needed to create your own story and share it with the world. Also to the children that I’ve raised since I was 16 years old Kayden, Zylah, Abbi, Kyron, Andri. And Makhi who really taught me the value of humanity and paying it forward no matter what, always lead by example and let your example be one of fruition and good character, too my nieces and nephew karsyn, Kendall kruz & Kobe; may you know that there is greatness inside of us and it is up to us to bring it out in Truth and Love we can do anything. For My future children who will come into this world and see all these great
and amazing things that I have done for them before they got here so that they too may know how to live furtively and consciously so that they too may be inspired and know that their father was a good man. Too my uncle Kevin Mills who turned his pain into a healing and loving charity the Mills Korner foundation committed to saving and guiding our young athletes in to prosperity on and off the field by establishing and providing a solid fundamental foundation for at-risk and disadvantage youth ages 10-22 to close the achievement gap. I’m so proud to have an example like that growing up. Last but never least I dedicate this to myself for always sticking to it and getting through it to be able to surround myself with amazing people like the Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and our amazing executive director Marquita Thomas, who I have gotten the pleasure to know over these last two amazing years. I owe a lot of my business evolution to The Los Angeles LGBTQ chamber of commerce and our executive director for listening to me and allowing me to pitch ideas with history behind it and for allowing me to be the great overachiever that I am by being on every committee and supporting my vision and dream of building better businesses from inside the community all the way out globally through the supplier diversity program. Marquita Thomas is an amazing black lesbian woman who has been leading our nationally award-winning chamber of commerce into the forefront of supplier diversity, this is a common thread in my life of how all of the men and women I look up too and admire have been community activists and a part of making the change for all underutilized demographics. I don’t think I would be in the position I Am in right now without having been referred to this amazing strong beautiful black woman. The organization that she has been leading as a champion of the supplier diversity community for more than 11 years. As a humanitarian and a community activist I feel like it is important for me to establish relationships with key leaders and opportunity makers within the world of small business and also creating friendships and acknowledging the people who put their life on the line for the equality of all humans and small business owners is amazing. Marquita Thomas has been a invisible champion who I have dedicated a part of my work too highlighting her and more people like her who build bridges for young people like me to walk across feeling safe, feeling proud, and feeling empowered enough to extend those bridges that have been built by great forces like her and man others and pay it forward for many generations to come. I work with Marquita Thomas on The daily and when everyone is asleep she is awake going on our behalf as lgbtq owned, women-owned and minority owned small businesses making sure our Spend goals are increased with our local, Federal and global supplier diversity spend goals, which allocate taxpayer dollars to be spent with small businesses by investing in their start up and growth by way of contracting and doing more business with growing small businesses in the lgbtq owned, women-owned, and minority owned spaces. Marquita Thomas is a part of an initiative to increase the supplier diversity spend goal to $1 billion dollars with each of these underutilized demographics. Being a part of the chamber I see how that directly affects the communities that we serve and I couldn’t think of doing an amazing interview such as this one without shouting her out.

Website: https://www.torinsworld.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torinsworld/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torin-floyd-7971a423a

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TorinsBrain?t=LwAD0m2Vhd0hQBI_OJkWUA&s=09

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Torinsworld/

Yelp: https://linktr.ee/Torinsworld

Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/Thepopkid90.youtube.com

Other: https://linktr.ee/Torinsworld Music https://open.spotify.com/artist/0j6z81JEozfYPaH0bPGBE1?si=WarFq5KSSeerLKXYzkQruA&utm_source=copy-link

Image Credits
Mac Mattie Productions. Mattie and Tony Caruthers took all of these behind the scene pictures.