Resolute Confidence
Demetrius uses his platform to encourage and promote entrepreneurs in black and brown communities. Through his real estate business, he provides both affordable housing and retail space in under-resourced neighborhoods.
Original Artwork by David A. Paul, MD.
Photo Credit: Marké Anderson. Formless Photography.
Copyright Bold & Gritty, LLC 2021. All rights reserved.
When you meet Demetrius Ellison for the first time, you’ll quickly realize that there is something different about him—a resolute confidence that bleeds through into all his interactions. Demetrius’ confidence comes from years of self-development and a dedication to personal improvement. A native of Rahway, New Jersey, Demetrius spent the last six years developing himself as an entrepreneur in Rochester, New York. Recognizing the struggles of poverty at a young age, he was inspired to build a business empire and is currently co-owner of Bubby’s BBQ and Hyde Venues. He also manages a real estate portfolio of 20 units in Rochester.
Demetrius says that one of his biggest challenges growing up was, “feeling like I always had to adapt to fit in . . . thinking that I had to play the game to everyone else’s standards, versus just being comfortable with myself and who I am.” Looking back on how he overcame this mindset, Demetrius credits his faith in God and a small group of people who recognized and understood his personal vision. Even today, that same small group—his parents, friends, and business partners—continues to pour an incredible amount of passion and energy into supporting his business ideas. And as they constantly challenge him to grow as a man and strong leader, their support inspires him every day to work harder.
Bold & Gritty Interview with Demetrius Washington-Ellison.
Video Credit: Carbon Stories
Now that Demetrius is much older and wiser, his advice to his younger 9-year-old self is to “focus on inner peace more than anything.” He says, “Anything you want to attract externally . . . starts from within you.” His relentless pursuit to, “master [his] emotions and thoughts” has helped him to rise above his circumstances and succeed against all odds. It is this approach to life that characterizes Demetrius as a Bold & Gritty man.
So what does success look like for Demetrius? He says it’s the ability and freedom to focus on the things that are important to him. And that boils down to having as much time to spend with his family as possible and pursuing his personal interests without the burden of having to worry about how his family will be taken care of. It’s about “having that peace of mind to enjoy life and be free to experience it at your own will.”
“One’s ability to manufacture, produce, and distribute [goods] and services within Black and Brown communities is an integral part of improving our communities…”
Photo Credit: Marké Anderson. Formless Photography.
Demetrius believes self employment is the key to eliminating the wealth gap in our society— “One’s ability to manufacture, produce, and distribute [goods] and services within Black and Brown communities is an integral part of improving our communities…” He uses his platform to encourage and promote entrepreneurship. Through his real estate business, he provides both affordable housing in under-resourced neighborhoods and affordable retail space.
Developing self-confidence to speak your own truth is an essential trait for any Bold & Gritty individual and Demetrius does just that. For him, bold and gritty means, “taking a stand and deciding that something is for you and that you are going to go after it no matter what. It’s not going to be easy . . . you’ll have to bear down and overcome obstacles and stay the course, realizing that there are things you have to go through to get to your end result.”
Photo Credit: Marké Anderson. Formless Photography.
About Bold and Gritty - Black Coffee. Black Culture. Black Stories.
We have this crazy idea that by honoring Black people’s contributions to the history of coffee and using it as a vehicle to tell inspiring stories from our neighborhoods – that we can liberate a group of people and inspire them to be the change they want to see in the world. From creators to doctors, we are fueling a Bold and Gritty Revolution - curating stories that elevate the culture.
We highlight successful Black Men ages 18-40, who embody what it means to be Bold and Gritty. Black coffee is the vehicle for sharing these stories. If you or someone you know embodies these core values and would like to use our platform to shine a light on #Blackmale excellence and encourage future Bold and Gritty men, please fill out our feature application.
About Formless Photography:
Formless Photography is a Black and Veteran-owned photography studio in Rochester, NY founded by Marké Anderson. Together, Bold & Gritty and Formless photography are telling inspiring stories of Black and Brown men in Rochester, NY.
