Andraé Goodnight (born Andraé McGary) is an award-winning politician, visual artist, educator, minister, international rap artist, author, talk show host and former non-profit executive. He now brings his formidable gifts and expertise to the world of theater.
Goodnight graduated from the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas, where he concentrated in visual arts and theater. Goodnight graduated with honors from Carver Bible College in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Science degree and received his Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis in 2005. After graduation, he served as a church youth minister. local in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was when offered a position as senior pastor that Goodnight finally felt called to pursue a life of service outside of the local church.
In 2009, Goodnight was elected to Chattanooga City Council as the 8th District representative, becoming the youngest person to hold a local office in Chattanooga. He produced, directed and starred in the “14 Days” webisodes series to document his experience of running for a local public office. broadcast on WGOW 102.3FM. He hosted the show for two years, giving audiences of nearly 250,000 listeners an entertaining glimpse into how local politics actually work while providing a thoughtful view of current events at the local, national and international levels. Goodnight received the National Association of Social Workers Public Official Award in 2009, was named to Chatter Magazine’s “20 Under 40” list in 2010, and received the “Best Director” award for his “Baby Steps” submission. at the 48 Hour Film Festival held in Chattanooga, TN in 2016.
Goodnight brings the diversity of his life experiences to each of the roles he accepts. He believes that the wide range of his personal and professional experiences make it easier for him to capture the “real life” behind each character he plays. For Andraé, playing is therefore an opportunity to let out all the people and all the places that he has collected and experienced over the years. A true Renaissance man, Goodnight embodies the spirit of using his talents and abilities in the service of others while finding freshness and innovative ways to inspire and entertain. Offscreen, Andraé is married to Cheryl McGary. They have been together for 17 years and together have six children: Imani, Zion, Elijah, Isaiah, Eden and Ephrem.
HELLO! THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DISCUSS WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS ANDRAÉ GOODNIGHT IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I am an artist in love with life.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN ONE LIFETIME? YOU ARE AN AWARD-WINNING POLITICIAN, EDUCATOR, MINISTER, INTERNATIONAL RAP ARTIST, AUTHOR, VISUAL ARTIST, TALK SHOW HOST, AND YOU ARE NOW ADVENTURE IN ACTOR’S WORLD. MOST PEOPLE FIGHT TO MANAGE EVEN ONE PROFILE. HOW DO YOU FEEL WITH SO MANY? Is it exciting or exhausting at times?
It’s both. With all the time I have left, I made it my goal to live life as fully as possible. It took me to very unexpected places!
YOU HAVE BECOME THE YOUNGEST PERSON IN CHATTANOOGA HISTORY TO KEEP A LOCAL OFFICE. HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR TIME AT CHATTANOOGA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL? WHAT HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED AND HOW SINCE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AT CHATTANOOGA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL?
Truth be told, it was a climatic experience to be won. However, the reality of governing really weighed on me. I was a city councilor responsible for a district of 18,000 people. It was very difficult to go from an unknown relative to a known name. I now think back to that time very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn the fleeting value of money, power and fame. Ultimately what I remember and cherish the most are the people who were there for me and who walked with me through a very difficult time in my life.
YOU HAVE WON MANY AWARDS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD IN 2009 AND THE “BEST DIRECTOR AWARD”. HOW WAS THE TRANSITION FROM A AWARD-WINNING POLITICIAN TO A SUCCESSFUL DIRECTOR?
I have always been at the bottom of my heart an artist. So moving from politics to being an actor was a “coming home” moment for me. I am extremely grateful that the stories, people and places I have been to have all given me life experiences that I seek to bring to my acting and storytelling.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
James Baldwin, Marlon Brando, Stella Adler, Picasso, Dante Alighieri
WHAT SOMETHING DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT COULD SURPRISE US?
My first Masters is in Divinity (Theology)
ANY FUTURE PROJECTS / ROLES YOU CAN TALK ABOUT?
More info to come …
WHAT IS ONE MESSAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO YOUR FANS?
I love you.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
My website: www.andraegoodnight.com or IMDb, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube
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