10/15/2025
✍🏾 PART 1: “From Falling to Flying: The Rebirth of Tru Hood”
By Christopher Tru Hood
There’s a certain kind of silence that comes after defeat — not the kind that breaks you, but the kind that rebuilds you.
For me, that silence began years ago, when I realized my early college years were not the victories I dreamed of. My GPA in Digital Cinematography was a 2.68 — decent, but not me. I wasn’t focused. I was young, wild, stubborn, and thought I knew it all. I finished, but I didn’t finish strong. Yet, I finished. That part matters.
Then I started over.
Audio Production called my name — and I answered. I walked out of that chapter with a 3.1 GPA and a Bachelor’s degree that meant more than a diploma; it meant discipline. And now, here I am — five weeks and four days away from completing my Master’s in New Media Journalism with a 4.0 GPA. Not bragging. Just being real. Because for a kid who once failed English four times, this is redemption in its purest form.
I barely touch Facebook. I’m rarely online. But this right here — this post — is my moment of reflection. My road has been rough, crooked, and confusing, but I kept driving. I kept building.
The Climb
At 40, I used to feel like my 30s were wasted. But when I looked back, I realized — I raised four kids. I got married. I wrote a book. I dropped albums. I joined LXW Chicago. I met some of my gospel heroes: Deitrick Haddon, Fred Hammond, The Walls Group, Zeke Locke, Richard Holmes, Jameika Lachey, Zaccardi Cortez — and many more.
I’ve worked for the Chicago Cubs, got my ring, and stood on history when they won the World Series. I earned my associate’s degree from Kennedy-King College, my certificate from the Illinois Art Institute, and even though that school closed before I could finish, I kept going. Life hit hard. I gave up — and then got back up.
The Pain and the Push
Losing my sister at eight years old changed everything. My best friend was gone, and grief broke my memory. I was diagnosed with amnesia. I forgot how to spell, how to read, even people’s names. Teachers thought I was faking. Family thought I was exaggerating. But that pain became the seed that grew into my purpose.
When that teacher disrespected my sister’s death, I snapped — and that moment became the scar that shaped me. I was labeled. Misunderstood. But it was never about anger; it was about heartbreak. And out of that heartbreak came my hunger to rise above every expectation — especially my own.
The Redemption
I failed English four times at Kennedy-King. Four times.
But I didn’t quit. I passed. And now I’m earning a master’s degree built entirely on writing. The irony isn’t lost on me — it’s poetic justice.
I never graduated eighth grade. I aged out. I went to an alternative school. I got bullied at Leo High School. I ditched classes. I stumbled through my teens and 20s. But I found my voice in music, faith, and family. And that voice kept echoing even when I didn’t believe in myself.
The Evolution
Today, I’m a Tech Coordinator in Chicago Public Schools — 15 years in, off and on. I’ve been a football coach, after-school teacher, coordinator, paraprofessional, and now, a licensed teacher in multiple disciplines: Information Technology, Photography, Journalism, and Music.
That’s not luck. That’s legacy.
And through all this, I built Tru Hood Studio LLC — a vision turned business, a dream turned brand. I am not just a photographer or filmmaker. I’m a Media Director.
A storyteller.
A father.
A husband.
A man who took his pain and turned it into pixels, poetry, and purpose.
The Lesson
Partnerships taught me hard truths — not everyone who starts with you finishes with you.
Some faded away. Some gave up. Some laughed, doubted, and ghosted me when things got real. But I learned to bless them too. Because not everyone is meant to walk with you through your elevation.
So to those who walked away — thank you.
You showed me who I am without you.
You taught me that my value doesn’t decrease when you stop clapping.
You made me love my solitude and sharpen my focus.
The Now
Six weeks from graduation, I’m looking toward my Florida walk across the stage — my victory lap. I want to be there, cap and gown, hood and honor. Not because of the paper, but because of the journey. Because this degree represents every failure, every fight, every late night, every doubt — conquered.
My 30s were the struggle.
My 40s? They’re the elevation.
And this — right here — is just Chapter One.
“To the people who left — I’m not mad. To the people who stayed — I’m grateful. And to the people watching — keep watching, because I’m not done yet.”
✍🏾 From Falling to Flying: The Rebirth of Tru Hood
There’s a silence that comes after defeat — not the kind that breaks you, but the kind that rebuilds you. That silence has been my soundtrack. My early college years weren’t the victories I dreamed of: I slogged through a Digital Cinematography degree with a 2.68 GPA. I was young, wild, stubborn, and unfocused. But I finished that chapter — even if I didn’t finish strong — and that part matters. Then I started over. Audio Production called my name, and I answered. I walked out of that program with a 3.1 GPA and a bachelor’s degree that meant more to me than a piece of paper; it meant discipline. Now, here I am — just weeks away from walking the stage in Florida with a Master’s in New Media Journalism (4.0 GPA). This isn’t bragging, it’s redemption. For a kid who once failed English four times, this is proof that faith and hard work pay off. I remind myself of what I wrote on my blog: “every setback is temporary…and perseverance will ultimately pave the way for breakthrough” . That mindset kept me pushing forward.
At Kennedy–King College, I threw myself into everything:
🎭 Drama Club President – finding confidence on stage.
🎤 Choir Leader (VP → President) – discovering harmony and leadership.
🏛 Student Government – organizing events and giving classmates a voice.
🎶 Plays & Performances – countless school concerts and community shows.
Those experiences taught me how to grind, lead, and create impact — lessons bigger than any grade. I credit my mom and uncle for that creative spark. Growing up, I was “surrounded by the creative energy of [my] mother and the inspiring legacy of [my] uncle” . My mother’s passion for acting and photography literally taught me to see beauty in the everyday , and my sports-photographer uncle showed me the power of capturing life’s moments. Those early influences shaped my vision and grounded me in humility.
Even when life hit hard — like losing my sister at age eight and dealing with grief that broke my memory — I didn’t give up. Instead, that heartbreak became the seed of my purpose. Faith carried me through. It’s why I still say with confidence that “every setback is temporary” . That belief kept me digging in, studying harder, and refusing to let failures define me.
🎶 Music, Faith & Life Lessons
Music was my therapy and my launchpad. I joined LXW Chicago (a gospel ensemble) and shared stages with some of my heroes: Fred Hammond, Deitrick Haddon, The Walls Group, Zeke Locke, Richard Holmes, Jamika Lashay, Zaccardi Cortez, and more. Singing lifted my spirits and built my confidence. I dropped albums, recorded songs, and learned the grind of the music industry. Along the way I met NBA players and celebrities, and even worked for the Chicago Cubs — walking out of Wrigley Field with a World Series ring in 2016 (literally and spiritually 💍) when the Cubs ended their curse. All these adventures taught me that talent and faith can turn pain into purpose.
Through it all, faith has been my guiding light. In moments of doubt or struggle, I leaned on what I believe: perseverance will lead to breakthrough . Even when I stumbled (like flunking English at Chicago Public for the fourth time), I remembered that lesson. Every failure just fueled my comeback.
🎥 Tru Hood Studio & Creative Vision
Today I wear many hats, but at the core I’m a storyteller and media director. Over the past decade I built Tru Hood Studio LLC from the ground up — no shortcuts, no handouts. In that process I learned some hard truths: setbacks are stepping stones, late nights sharpen your craft, and trial-and-error is the secret sauce of strategic brilliance. I don’t just call myself a photographer or filmmaker — I’m a Media Director, turning pain into pixels, poetry, and purpose.
My studio isn’t just a business; it’s a legacy-building lab. As a Creative Podcaster piece notes, Tru Hood Studio (led by Rev. Andrea Hood’s son, me) has “taken the torch and lit new paths.” It runs film camps, teaches DJing and digital storytelling, and serves as a healing hub for Chicago youth, built on three pillars: Faith, Family, and Film . “Faith. Family. Film.” isn’t just a tagline — it’s literally how we survive and thrive on the South Side. In every project I launch, the spirit of my family and the power of my faith shine through.
A quick story: I didn’t plan to join Chicago’s All Stars Talent Show at first — I thought “it’s just another program.” But over time I saw lives change. “Now… I see the fruit. I see the lives changed. And I’m proud — honored — to be a part of it,” I wrote . That’s how proud I am to build community through media.
👨🏾👩🏾 Family, Loss & Resilience
At the end of the day, it all comes back to family and faith. I’m blessed to be married to my best friend. My wife and our four incredible kids have been the driving force behind my relentless pursuit of excellence . Their belief in me fuels my determination to push past every boundary. They keep me grounded, humble, and accountable. (And yes, I’ve learned a lot as a dad — I still regret the times I let my daughter Cara down, but every mistake is a chance to grow.)
Grief and loss have also shaped who I am. I lost my sister when I was eight, and that was the first of many blows. My grandmother, my father, and my stepfather — each passing reminded me how fragile life is. I wasn’t perfect; I got bullied at Leo High School, skipped class, and stumbled through my teens. I never even finished 8th grade — I aged out, went to alternative school, the whole nine yards. But through all those setbacks, I found my voice in music, faith, and family. Those kept echoing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
💻 Career & Chicago Public Schools
Outside of creative work, I’ve spent a lot of time in Chicago Public Schools. Over 15 years (on and off) I’ve worked as a recess monitor, football coach, after-school teacher, coordinator, paraprofessional, and now a Tech Coordinator. I even earned teacher licenses in multiple disciplines: Information Technology, Photography, Journalism, and Music. I believe in showing up for kids — especially now, navigating classes in a post-COVID world. Every role taught me patience, leadership, and the power of education. It wasn’t luck that I became an educator; it was legacy.
And yes, I’ve written books and stage plays from scratch. I authored “Better Than Good” (a gospel-style adventure), “Dirty Laundry: Tiffany’s Story” (a novel about secrets and redemption), and several others. I did a sold-out stage production of Better Than Good: The Easter Musical. I even recorded a full band soundtrack on Spotify. It’s all part of building Tru Hood’s brand — a multifaceted Media Director and believer in storytelling.
🚀 Projects & What’s Next
The grind is real, and I’m ready to level up. Here’s a taste of what I’m working on:
🎬 “Dirty Laundry: Tiffany’s Story” – My debut novel is now an indie short film project. I’ve been casting local talent for “Dirty Laundry (Tiffany Story Pt. 1: Drama Kills)” — Christopher Hood’s casting call confirms we’re shooting in Chicago this fall . (Tiffany’s world is messy, but her story will hit hard.)
🎭 “Better Than Good” – What started as a sold-out Easter musical is going to the screen. We even have a NDA form live on my website for the Better Than Good Movie . The vision: turn that stage play into a powerful Christian short film series.
🎶 “Keep The Name Dropping” – A working title for a new stage show/music project. Think spoken word and comedy meets gospel; I’m assembling a cast for this creative mash-up.
🎄 “The Christmas Play” – A holiday-themed performance I’m planning (faith, family, and a few surprises).
💡 Future Projects – More albums, albums for children’s ministry, community documentaries… I’ve been quiet for a minute, but now I’m ready to hit the ground running. People around me say “Stop talking and just do!” — and I get it. But I can’t build the vision alone. I need a team that’s as hungry and committed as I am. To my real ones: I’m looking for you. Real recognizes real, and I’m assembling the squad that will grind with me.
What I’m doing isn’t hobby-level — it’s professional. In fact, Tru Hood Studio LLC maintains official paperwork for it. Our website has trade-for-service agreements, release forms, and even a sign-up NDA for Better Than Good. That’s how serious we are.
💡 Lessons Learned & Elevation Era
If there’s one thing partnerships have taught me, it’s this: not everyone who starts with you finishes with you. Some faded away. Some doubted. Some gave up. I won’t lie — it hurt when people laughed or ghosted me as soon as things got real. But I learned to thank them, too. Their absence shows me who I am without them. It proves that my value doesn’t decrease when they stop clapping. Solitude taught me focus; their doubts fueled my fire.
So, to those who walked away: thank you. You taught me that the only applause that matters is the one I give myself. I’m still standing, still shining, still HIM. 💯🔥
Now, I’m less than six weeks away from graduation. I can picture it: Florida, cap and gown, hood over my shoulders — my victory lap. But make no mistake, it’s not about the paper. It’s about what this degree represents: every late night, every doubt, every failure conquered. My 30s were about the struggle; my 40s are the Elevation Era. I can feel it.
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After all the years of trials, this moment is personal victory. As Christopher Tru Hood himself puts it: “Chicago doesn’t need another headline… It needs healing. It needs hope. It needs [his mom] Mama Hood. It needs a Hood. And it needs the next generation ready to carry the torch.” That torch is lit — and I’m just warming up.
Key Highlights of My Journey:
🎓 From 2.68 GPA to a 4.0 GPA master’s student — each degree (Digital Cinema, Audio Production, New Media Journalism) a step forward.
📚 Failed English 4x (Kennedy-King College), now writing master’s-level articles — poetic justice.
🧠 Childhood amnesia (age 8) — relearned reading/spelling and turned that pain into purpose.
🎶 Music Healed My Pain – sang with LXW Chicago, performed with gospel legends, and dropped albums on Spotify.
⚾ Chicago Cubs Alum – part of the 2016 World Series team on staff; got that ring 💍 and made history.
🎥 Media Director – Founded Tru Hood Studio LLC, creating youth media programs and stories .
👨🏾👩🏾👧🏾👦🏾 Family & Faith – Married with four kids; “their belief in me fuels my determination” .
💡 Core Values – Triad of Faith, Family, Film keeps me grounded. Learned that doubts and haters only sharpen my focus and gratitude.
🔥 Elevation Era – 30s were setup, 40s are payoff. I’m alive, focused, and just getting started 🚀.
Christopher Tru Hood — man of faith, family, flaws, fire, and fun — is proof that life is about the journey, not just the destination. This journey? It’s just Chapter One. 💪🏾🔥
