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Andre Daniels
Andre Daniels
01:14

Andre Daniels

Guitars Over Guns

Chicago, IL USA

"You tell people all the time to put the guns down but you never really hear about people replacing it with anything. How can I tell you to stop your reality if I’m not being active in changing what surrounds you?"

Career Roadmap

Andre's work combines: Music, Non-Profit Organizations, and Teaching / Mentoring

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Day In The Life

Regional Director

I'm a rapper and mentor currently leading the Chicago branch of a music mentoring program.

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Day In The Life Of A Regional Director Of A Music Mentoring Program

My Day to Day

At Guitars Over Guns, we hire musicians to come into middle schools, high schools, and community centers to create relationships and mentor students for years on end. A mentor will arrive at a school with a lesson plan. We start off with a circle to check in with the students about how they're feeling—that check-in essentially guides the day. We'll teach lessons and lead activities to create a positive experience for students.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

For a long time, I was used to being let down. I didn't think I'd catch a break or succeed. I developed a mindset that stuff like that doesn't happen for people like me. But then I started asking myself, "Why not me?" I had to go through a lot of hurdles but I persevered every time. It's okay to go through moments of failure. You need that. Just because you didn't win doesn't mean you failed. You only fail if you stop altogether.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I started my career as a rapper in Chicago, Illinois.

  • 2.

    I’d go to open mic nights in the city to showcase my writing and rapping, and would meet people in the scene.

  • 3.

    I eventually got signed and was able to make a living as a rapper.

  • 4.

    I got into mentoring because mentors have played such a significant role in my own life and I felt called to give back in a similar way.

  • 5.

    I started to like mentorship better than I liked rap, so I transitioned my focus to chase that passion.

  • 6.

    I’m currently working as the regional director of Guitars Over Guns, a music mentoring program dedicated to reshaping the trajectory of kids’ lives.

  • 7.

    I also created Haven Studios, a community-based recording studio in Chicago.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Myself:

    Stuff like that doesn't happen to people like me.

  • How I responded:

    For a long time, I was used to being let down. I didn't think I'd catch a break or succeed. I developed a mindset that stuff like that doesn't happen for people like me. But then I started asking myself, "Why not me?" I had to go through a lot of hurdles but I persevered every time. It's okay to go through moments of failure. You need that. Just because you didn't win doesn't mean you failed. You only fail if you stop altogether.

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