Male dj smiles at the camera on stage at event

From Call Center to Center Stage: A Spotlight on Office Staff Member Raeshon Minnifield

Raeshon is many things – a student, an employee, an artist and a creator – but he isn’t defined by any one identity. A lover of EDM and Andre 3000, Raeshon has had a passion for music from an early age. Over the years, he has seen this passion manifest into another identity altogether – DJ and music artist Robot.Ray(); – and has taken the stage at clubs, parties and fashion shows to show off his artistry.

“I’ve been making music since I was sixteen, dabbling in FL Studio on my cousin’s laptop,” shares Raeshon. “Then five years ago, I got into DJing. I started to think of everything I could mix together and found out how therapeutic it is to chain songs together.”

A major stress reliever for Raeshon, crafting his songs reminds him to let go and tap into his creative side. Now, he produces, remixes and shares his music with family, friends and his community, and is even working on his first extended play (EP).

“I have three of the six songs in a place where I’m comfortable releasing,” says Raeshon. “I’m going to do one song a month before the full release, which will most likely be next summer.”

Although he hasn’t officially decided on the title of his EP yet, Raeshon keeps going back to one name: Hard Drive. A student at American River College, Raeshon is studying computer science, something he focuses on while also working in the Enrollment Department and making his music. He credits the amazing staff here at Visions for setting him up to pursue these different paths.

“Visions has really helped support me as a person,” says Raeshon. “Soren, Rick and Tom have been really supportive and have put me in a position to be successful.”

No Pressure

Despite his immense ambition, Raeshon tends to not put too much pressure on himself. Instead, he lets his job, his education and his music take him in whatever direction they naturally go.

“I feel like people succumb to pressures from others or are so wrapped up in the day-to-day routine that they forget to have fun,” says Raeshon. “I try not to take things too seriously. People forget that life innately is playful.”

Through the pursuit of his music, Raeshon takes the time to remind himself of the true nature of being a creator, something that encourages expression, exploration and play.

“You don’t really have any direction, you have inspiration and you go from there,” says Raeshon. “Although I take things seriously, I do it only to the point that I impress myself.”

If You’re Reading This

Visions has allowed Raeshon to do many things throughout his five years working here. The skills he’s learned – time management, organization, networking and professionalism – have been especially valuable. But at the end of the day, the thing that matters most to Raeshon is those around him.

“Life is about people. If you’re reading this, you matter. Sometimes people don’t hear that enough.”