Dee Kay kindredthefamilysoul@gmail.com
Fatin Dantzler is known for being one half of the popular neo-soul group Kindred the Family Soul, which includes his wife Aja Dantzler.
His career as a musician has allowed him to travel the world and work with the likes of Jill Scott, Raheem Devaughn and Bilal just to name a few.
Now the musician, father and husband of over 20 years is taking us along with him in his new web series Share My Ride.
Share My Ride provides a rare glimpse into the rideshare industry by chronicling Fatin’s conversations with rideshare drivers and the many passengers that ride along.
Fatin even shares his ride with a few celebrities we love such as Black Thought, Marsha Ambrosias and Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Tone!
There are many stigmas associated with rideshare drivers and the passengers they encounter, but Share My Ride offers a refreshing perspective that shows the humanity that connects us all.
What inspired you to create Share My Ride?
I initially became a rideshare driver because I wanted to do something different and I wanted to make good use of my time. My time driving passengers around sparked so many meaningful conversations that it prompted me to start documenting my experience.
You got an opportunity to speak with a lot of rideshare drivers who are making a difference in our everyday lives. What’s a common misconception you believe people have about rideshare drivers?
A common misconception is that life is dictating their work but many times that’s not the case. In actuality, life is not dictating their and they are working as rideshare drivers by choice. Many rideshare drivers have accomplished great things outside of the service industry. Speaking with these drivers gave me a different perspective of the drivers and the industry itself.
What is the biggest lesson you learned as a rideshare driver?
As a rideshare driver you really get a better understanding of why everyone is important and why everyone’s story matters. I can’t stress enough the types of talented people that sat in my backseat. It really makes you appreciate the many men and women that help make the world go round.
Is there a science behind rideshare driving and providing passengers with a great experience?
Reading a person’s mood and respecting their feelings are important in providing passengers with a great experience as they travel to their destination. At the end of the day, a driver should treat people how they would want to be treated and passengers should do the same. You can change the course of someone’s mood, day, or even their life just from a conversation. That goes for both the person in the front and backseat.
What do you want viewers to take away from Share My Ride?
I want viewers to feel good about themselves and hopefully learn more about the different people I had the honor of conversing with. I want to humanize the rideshare experience and move people to have more appreciation for service industry workers because we are all part of the same ecosystem. I hope Share My Ride inspires people to be me more kind, cordial, and open to listening to other’s stories because it make us all better human beings at the end of the day.
