Eric Campbell is a business professional, music executive, and the founder /director of the nonprofit organization Some People Understand Differently, Inc. (SPUD Inc.).
His family is from Jamaica, and even though much of what he learned came through family stories, values, and traditions, one thing that was always clear was the strong emphasis on education. “I grew up hearing that learning was not just important — it was a key to building your life, creating opportunities, and carrying yourself with purpose. That message stayed with me,” he said.
He is from Bushwick, and what he appreciates most about it is the culture, in particular, everything that shaped the neighborhood long before everything started changing.
“There was a real sense of community, where people knew each other, looked out for one another, and carried a certain pride about where they came from. The music, the conversations on the block, the family values, and the everyday hustle all taught you something. That old-school energy gave the neighborhood character — it taught resilience, respect, and creativity in a very real way, and those lessons still stay with me today,” he shared.
Something that often surprises people about him: as a kid, he really wanted to be a scientist, since he was always fascinated by how things worked, how ideas came together, and how one discovery could change everything.
He added, “That curiosity never really left me — it just showed up in different ways as I grew. Even now, whether it’s music, business, or building opportunities for others, I still approach things with that same mindset: experimenting, learning, and trying to understand how to create something meaningful from the ground up.”
For Campbell, life itself had the greatest influence on the path he’s chosen today — especially hardship and adversity, with his direction often coming from having to face difficult situations early and learning how to push through them.
“Those experiences forced me to develop resilience, discipline, and a deeper understanding of purpose. They also taught me that challenges can either break you or build you, and I decided to let them build me. That mindset shaped how I move today — in music, in leadership, and in the way I try to create opportunities for others who may need someone to believe in them the way I once needed it myself,” he explained.
One act of kindness Campbell remembers most, through his family’s influence, was their belief in guiding others — sharing advice, encouraging younger people to stay focused, and reminding them that knowledge could open doors no one could take away. “There was always a spirit of helping someone improve, whether through words, support, or simply making sure no one around you felt forgotten. That mindset became part of how I view responsibility and growth today,” he added.
One of the main ways he’s tried to show kindness in my community is by creating opportunities for others, especially through his nonprofit and his work in music, mentorship, and outreach.
“A big part of that has been helping people who need guidance — whether that means encouraging young artists, offering advice, connecting people to resources, or simply taking time to listen when someone needs direction. I’ve also worked to support people by using my platform to help them grow, because sometimes kindness is giving someone access, belief, or information they may not have had otherwise,” Campbell continued.
Since this has been part of his life for several years, he continues doing it consistently because he understands how much a small opportunity or conversation can change someone’s confidence and path.
For him, the biggest impact has been helping people see possibilities they may not have seen before. Through mentorship, conversations, and the creation of platforms for people to be seen and heard, he’s watched individuals become more confident in their direction and more serious about their goals.
“Overall, I think the impact has been in building encouragement, accountability, and access. Whether through community work, music, or outreach, the goal has always been to leave people with something that helps them move forward — not just in the moment, but in how they think about their future,” he stated.
Growing up, some of his favorite hobbies were centered around art and creativity, such as drawing, imagining ideas, and creating things out of nothing. “There was something powerful to me about starting with a blank space and turning it into something meaningful, whether it was through sketches, designs, or simply building ideas in my mind. That creative process gave me a way to express myself early on,” he shared.
That same passion is still there for him, and it has evolved into how he thinks, works, and continues to create with purpose.
The legacy he wants to leave in life is one of impact, resilience, and possibility, and he wants his life to represent what it means to keep building, keep learning, and keep creating opportunities not only for yourself but for others along the way.
To younger generations in New York City and across the Caribbean, Campbell wants to inspire you to value knowledge, creativity, and discipline, and to also understand: “Your voice, ideas, and talents matter, but also that growth requires focus, patience, and belief in something bigger than the moment you are in.
He continued and said, “If I can help young people see that adversity does not have to stop them, and that they can still create something meaningful from difficult circumstances, then that is a legacy worth leaving.”
