Entrepreneur. Educator. Entertainer.

I am a professional singer, actor, entertainer, and entrepreneur who has performed for countless weddings, been on hundreds of TV shows, acted in commercials, been a brand representative, founded and operates an Entertainment company, and is a true lover of food and travel.

Arriving in Chiayi, Taiwan on January 15, 2003, I sought out on a journey that I never could have never imagined or dreamed of being on. Teaching English for 7 years, being the lead singer of a 10 piece funk and disco band that traveled the island, obtaining my MBA National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan from being the first American born and raised (and a black man) performer full time at a live house in Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, and Taipei. Entertaining in both Mandarin as well as Taiwanese I decided to form my own Entertainment company 2014, and since we have been working to bring something new and different to the event planning and live entertainment industry.

I have a passion for uplifting and encouraging young people to chase the dreams, mentoring up-and-coming talent, farming, real estate investing, and music arranging. Currently, I am working on developing bands and singers who are interested in giving new life to the music industry in Taiwan through my Entertainment company Exclusive Entertainment.

How does being Taiwanese/Taiwanese American and/or community ally play a role in your life?

Every day I think about something that I learned growing up in the church as a child, “ to whom much is given much is required”. I have been so extremely blessed with many opportunities to teach young people English, obtain a MBA in Business administration and marketing, sing in front of thousands, do TV shows, shoot commercials, act in movies, as well as start my own entertainment company doing weddings and events as not only an artist, but also as an event planner, I recognize it is my responsibility to give something back to the people and the country that has given so much with me. I don’t take any encounter for granted and use each and every chance that I get to share my love for the world, music, and knowledge I have gained along the way.

It’s my goal that each individual that crosses my path leaves with the understanding that gathering resources and skills be it learning a foreign language, teaching English, or studying a random subject such as cooking can never be a waste of time or energy. They are only tools that you never may provide you with a chance to take your life to new heights that you never even hoped or dreamed of. One of my favorite things that my father always told me is that “you are in the place you are in for a specific purpose, and that is to gather resources and skills for the place you are going, so don’t waste time, get to work”.

If you could teach future generations 1 thing about being Taiwanese/Taiwanese American or Taiwan, what would it be?

Although Taiwan is a small country with many conservative people don’t give up on creating a new Taiwan that stands on the forefront of the world stage. You have the potential to create new opportunities not only for yourself, but one for future generations, as long as you create a vision and work endlessly to without ceasing we will have many bright days in front of us.

What does the future of Taiwanese America look like to you?

The future of Taiwanese America in my eyes will become one in which we no longer view Taiwan as a country that doesn’t include people of different colors, historical lineage, and mother tongue, but rather one that is filled with the variety of the rainbow of people from all over the world and a true melting pot that represents the true heart of Asia.

Favorite memory of Taiwan/Taiwanese America?

My favorite memory of Taiwan has to be of my very first morning waking up at a small hotel near the Chia-yi Train Station. Extremely jet-lagged after only a couple hours of sleep, filled with excitement about my first time expatriating to a new country, I ventured out at 7 am for a walk on the streets and ally’s of Chiayi to the smells of old men cooking “Dan Bing” on the street, the sound of motorcycles zipping passed me, and the hustle and bustle of students wearing matching school uniforms and carrying school bags.

Favorite Taiwanese food?

My Favorite Taiwanese food is Double Sauce Noodles (雙醬麵 ). It’s a combination of 炸醬麵 and麻醬麵 that had me addicted from my very first bite. I remember the very first time I ever tried it at a small local place in Chiayi, Taiwan.

Connect with Dooley on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel! Dooley is currently working on a Mandopop Chinese album that based on the rhythms, sounds and emotion of gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, Latin, and Afro-beat. For more about his Entertainment Company, Exclusive Entertainment, for hire or talent opportunities please check out their website!

Check out his feature on TaiwaneseAmerican.Org’s Instagram and Facebook!

—