“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for,” Eddie Rogers II says, quoting William G.T. Shedd.
Rogers is a North Central alumnus from 2000, who majored in psychology during his time here. Now, however, he is turning his attention to other areas.
Last year, Rogers developed his own company, Creaternity, which houses all of his creative ideas, “including online tutoring, fair housing resources, advertising, music, books, art and some inventions,” Rogers explains.
“Creaternity is everything I think about all the time, and I had to get it out of my head or else I couldn’t sleep,” says Rogers.
The full version of the website for Creaternity will open soon, however the Marketplace already showcases several products from Rogers, including his books and albums.
One book that Rogers has on this site is his autobiography, “Good Man, Bad Dude.” Although Rogers wrote this autobiography in advance to ensure that he accomplished everything he wished to, he says that he now fully understands what the title means to him.
In regards to the “Good Man,” Rogers says that, “I’m having fun trying to reach my potential and helping other people reach their potential too,” while he says that the “Bad Dude” means that “nothing can stop me from doing this.”
Another book that Rogers has recently published is called “Relationship Starts with ‘Relate,’” a relationship advice book.
“It’s not a how-to book,” Rogers explains, saying that some relationship books like this can become manipulative. “It’s a GPS – you can put in wherever you want to go; the GPS doesn’t tell you where to go.”
Rogers says that this book is about realizing the ways in which people treat relationships in comparison to friendships.
“People don’t have the same problems with their regular friends as they do with their relationships,” Rogers says. He believes that relationships should be “built on a foundation of friendship.”
“Be mindful of those relationships like you are of your friendships,” Rogers says.
Another major part of Rogers’ life that he has for sale on Creaternity is his music. With his two albums, “Speak Up” and “Quotivation,” Rogers hopes to “fill in the gaps in rap music.”
“There’s not enough motivational music out there,” Rogers says. He tries to convey positive messages while thinking of others when he writes his music, explaining that he has a habit of remembering that many people are suffering at any given moment. “The least I can do is stop and make one song,” he continues. “At least it’s there for a pick-me-up,” adding that, “If you give me your time and attention, I want to give you something of equal or greater value.”
Rogers says that when he was at North Central, he used to play shows at Pfeiffer Hall and at other places around campus to a full crowd.
Another product on Creaternity that Rogers is excited about and looking for help with is the tutoring that he offers. Currently, Rogers is tutoring a student in Atlanta, and he says that once a few more pieces are set in place that he will be ready to make it a full service.
Overall, Rogers says that North Central helped him to establish connections and networks at a time when the school didn’t have as many outlets for students to express themselves. He says that he built relationships with much of the faculty on campus in an effort to meet people and put himself out there.
“What I got most out of North Central was a social comfort,” Rogers says. “You just have to learn how to be comfortable with yourself.”
Rogers is working to take this social comfort that he established, as well as all of his products, and use them to help others.
“The way I got to the point I am now is by playing the ‘What if’ game,” Rogers says. He explains that his work has been based on trying out new things and maintaining his positive attitude. “It would be irresponsible of me to run away with all these good vibes I think I have.”
Rogers says that, “I’m making an effort to be in a good mood.” He tries to take this positive attitude and “turn it into products that other people can use.”
“Even if we don’t have anything else, we still have each other,” Rogers says.
