Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Leonardo Boyd.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Marcus Leonardo Boyd I am 38 years old I am from Atlanta GA/ Brooklyn NY and I have Autism. I didn’t start speaking until I was 13 or 13 1/2 years old at a 2 year old level some many doctors said the left side of my brain doesn’t function correctly many foster homes many group homes so many different hospitals and inpatient centers I had to deal with so many unimaginable issues of abuse in so many different ways, me being non verbal and having autism and being bullied and on medications and having speech therapy and the constant moving from home to home and the issues I was going through at home made it very difficult for me, but now God has blessed me to be a 13x music award winning music producer and composer and the first African American to win 4 awards as an Autism Activist. I have been nominated for multiple nominations I own a clothing line with some amazing business partners and I also own a shoe line with some amazing business partners and I own a record label with my best friend and Brother Gary Sinatra G.M.E. I am also a professional Dj and I work for an incredible company called: Walmart Neighborhood Store in Fayetteville Arkansas much love to my team there and I have an amazing short film about my life with autism called: The boy with no voice and I have much more on the way.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Well on the Autism side being picked on and made fun of being alone and having no one to hear or understand my voice because I have autism being non verbal and being abused and not supported or loved being put on medication that caused me to not to think for myself or control me and my mood or behaviors for someone else satisfaction benign put in hospitals because no one understood my behaviors or my episodes and having electrical shock treatments done on me which means me being electrocuted for 10 to 15 mins a day if I didn’t take the medications that was given to me for me it was mainly hard not being wanted because I have autism when I was coming up no one really didn’t want to deal with autism like that they didn’t know what it was for real so people really didn’t know how to come at it or support it on the other side of the coin I was homeless for years eating out of dumpers and sleeping in abandoned homes with no lights or food I didn’t have money to bathe so sometimes I did smell like piss or a bow movement going from state to state being homeless because of no birth certificate or ID or social security card sleeping on the streets because you can’t get the proper help that you need or deserve I was casted out by my situation it was hard to deal with
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Well I am a autism activist which means I go to schools and events and festivals and concerts and fashion shows or award shows school board meetings city hall meetings state capitals Naacp meetings zoom video meetings to have discussions and fight for change and the rights of Autism individuals and families worldwide rather it be new laws that need to be happening for Autism individuals and families or programs that need to be created so the Autism families can not only benefit but can increase the life of their child through the program I go around telling my testimony to help spread a light on Autism up bringing and what can happen when God takes control over a situation I speak to companies and non profits about therapies that could help push the envelope for better services with therapy for autism individuals and families I use my voice and my story as a instrument for change in the autism communities, and there as been many autism advocates around the world but what makes me different then the rest is I don’t care about putting my truth my hurt and pain and my scares out to the world and having someone else get help through my story I live my life to help bring change a real difference and to leave a Legacy with Autism and being a Autism Activist so for 13 I was voiceless now as I sit here on this interview I have a voice
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Well for me I know it sounds simple or like everyone says this all the time but you have to have God first in your life, I mean come on let’s keep it real there is no way you can succeed in this life without having a strong faith and walking into your destiny sometimes it takes us to go through hills and mountains to get lost in trail and tribulations to fall on our face 1000 or more times to feel like this is it God I can’t do this or go through this any longer it’s to much I give up you don’t have to say it but we all been there but success is different for each individual but main ingredient is God a strong grind and a mind set of I will not loose you have to reach beyond your on infinity in which I got taught that by my mentors you can not allow what you been through or currently going through to take you off your path yes it’s easier said then done but you have to remember Jesus Christ died for all of our sins so who are we not to bear or go through things allow situations to give you a lesson so when the blessings come you can appreciate them more and if you know someone who is going through what you just came out of then you can help them quicker because you know how the game ends
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
I use to think to be successful you have to have a big car or house and lots of money in the bank and you have to floss money on tv and wear expensive clothes but now success can mean so many different things like for example you can be a community leader and you can fight for change and that makes you successful you can be a business owner who’s just starting out or has been in business for many years that makes you successful you can be a light or a supporter to a child who doesn’t have anyone and that my friend makes you successful you can be getting good grades in school and being a positive friend and yes you are successful you could be the best husband or wife or spouse and y’all have a successful relationship see we has people have to get passed the fame or big lights or cameras because when it’s all said and done we all want the same thing to have a better future for our kids we don’t want to struggle and we all want a residual income can I get a Amen the key to success now what you make it don’t look at someone else’s success and feel bad because that’s not you God has a special plan for you you just have to stay on the journey and keep the faith and trust me that’s the lesson I have learned myself
What’s next for you?
Well it’s so much where do I begin first I have this amazing short film about to come out it’s called: The Boy With No Voice directed by multiple award winning Tina Bridges TLA Productions and her award winning cast out of Atlanta Ga this film is historic life changing a timeless classic and by watching it you will understand more about Autism and individuals with autism then I have new designs coming from my clothing line The A Collection Clothing and a new sneaker coming from my shoe line The A3 Shoe Apparel I also have the Super Marcus comic book coming out soon shout out to DJ Factz in savannah ga for that then I have a children’s book called: Marcus the hero inside along with the coloring book and the coloring book bag that is coming out in 2022 as well shout out to my business partner Allison Sanders for that then we have my autobiography book coming out a hand book coming out a new psa on autism coming out I have new music coming out from me and my best friend Gary Sinatra coming out more speaking events and more traveling for autism events coming as well also I will be working on a docu series called Autism the American family story it will be a 3 part series showing the real lives of families that have autism we want to celebrate and show the good and every day life of families that deal with Autism
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
Well people can go on my social media pages
My Facebook page is Marcus Leonardo Boyd or my Facebook business pages are Autism activist marcus boyd or The A collection clothing line or marcus boyd beats beats for sell or the orange couch chronicles the tv show on my Instagram it’s @autismactivistmarcusboyd or @marcustheinterviewer @theorangecouchchroniclestvshow on Twitter it’s @boydautism on tik Tok it’s @marcusboyd or people can just call me at 479 225 0534 I love trying to help people and talk to them and plus I will do anything for Autism but before I go I want to take this time and thank my family Raven Scott, Gary Sinatra, Queen Carter, Jessica Carter, Malakai Daniel Boyd, Dj Factz Fee Williams Herman Robinson Allison Sanders Shunta Taylor Kathy Taylor Tina Bridges Tracy Bumpers John Mcclung Jr Jacquetta Quashie Mary Mitchell Kellye Jones and the whole Beyond my exceptions family in North Carolina Jackie pilgrim Venessa Bobb Manisha Holiday and The Holiday Firm The whole WeBrnd Family kiss 105.3 FM in Fayetteville Arkansas my Jus Us League Family every supporter every person that has helped me along my journey because I didn’t do this alone. I say thank you so much for being in my life and giving me you and your loyalty for every person that reads this, thank you for coming into my world and I hope that this leaves you with encouragement and life and knowing that you can’t give up I love you all.
