Meet Treylon Day, He is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada where he spent 20 years of his life. Treylon grew up in what he would describe as a middle class to lower class neighborhood with a single mother with three brothers. When Treylon started going to school his focus was basketball and getting a career in basketball. When he was in 7th or 8th grade he started getting into things in the streets which caused him to start hanging out with the wrong crowd. Even though Treylon was hanging out with the wrong crowd he was still committed to basketball and played for three years in high school. Treylon received a scholarship to Dixie State University, however due to Dixie State only being able to offer a partial scholarship Treylon was not able to attend because he did not have access to the rest of the required funds to attend. Scrambling to figure out what he would do after high school and the pressure of feeling like he needed to support his mother at home, Treylon found himself again hanging out with the wrong crowd participating in illegal activities. This error in judgement caused Treylon to be incarcerated for 6 months. That time gave Treylon the opportunity to sit with his thoughts and come to the realization that he needed to make some changes.
Once he got out he started contacting friends outside of Las Vegas. He reached out to two friends in particular, one in Eugene and one in northern California. The friend in California said there wasn’t a fit for Treylon in northern California, however his friend in Eugene gave him two weeks to come out and find a job. September of 2016 is when Treylon officially came to Eugene. His first job here was at Papa’s Pizza for about 4 or 5 months. Treylon made friends that started to ask him if he had considered college. This made Treylon realize his dream of college was still attainable and he enrolled at Lane Community College the following year in 2017. Treylon was a part of the Black Student Union as well as the Library Student Ambassador. From college Treylon started his business in June of 2019, Day In The Life Entertainment. The Black Student Union gave him so much experience in event planning that he decided it would be a great idea to put on an event in the community.
Treylon’s first event was a collaboration with the M.A.R.T. Gallery. Treylon did a great job and had a lot of people attend and received good feedback. A local community member and business owner, Shea Hardy Baker, let him know he had a knack for the entertainment business and pushed him to pursue it. From there the collaborations from different individuals in town came rolling in. Treylon has since collaborated with Public Street Wear, Davis Restaurant & Bar, Veijo Cancun Tequila & Sean Kelly of WildCraft Cider Works to name a few. Sean has been helpful with Mia Multiplied Sunday Supper and has been a big part in his journey and excelling in his business. Treylon sends a special thank you to Mark Harris and Dr. Lawrence Rasheed for being two advocates for him and encouraging him. Treylon’s business, Day In The Life Entertainment, consists of event planning, promotion, talent scouting, artist management, and entertainment coordination. Treylon serves artists and promotes them to their communities where they live in Eugene, Compton, LA, and Las Vegas. He assists them in not having to sign to a major label or rely on them to be seen.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My grandmother on my mothers side is from Louisiana. My fathers side of the family is from Las Vegas. My mother passed away from heart failure in August of 2020. She is a big reason why I am who I am today. She raised me to be independent. She was kind of tough on us but she wanted us to know life is going to be tough on you. She always told me “stand up straight, respect your elders, and it’s always about first impressions.” She always steered me right and even when I got into trouble she came to my level and talked to me saying if I continued to do what I was doing I couldn’t blame anyone but myself. My father passed away in 1993 from gun violence he was a well known and respected gang member. One of my brother’s is an artist and draws animation sketches. My little brother went to college and was studying video game design but ultimately changed his mind to pursue being a professional skateboarder. My older brother growing up had his artistry down but got involved with the wrong crowds that led him to end up in a penitentiary for 5 years. He’s out now doing good with a job and his own place. We don’t talk as much as we used to but last time we spoke he was doing good. My Aunt worked as a card dealer on the Las Vegas strip, so I was always aware of gambling and how attentive you need to be gambling. My Uncles were in both the military and police officers so I learned young how to present myself as a respectable young black man. My cousin works in telecommunications for at&t. I am actually the first person in my family to graduate college. My cousins on my dad’s side are all respected gang members which provides me safety in a lot of rough neighborhoods.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Throughout my journey working I have always felt the need to work for myself. Creating my business for the first two months I didn’t have anything going but I worked hard and just stayed motivated and kept going. Having my own business I have been able to set aside time to relax and meditate and also I make sure to set aside time to go back home to grasp that feeling of poverty and remind myself where I came from and remind myself where I am at today. Currently creatively I am working on a variety of things.
I am in collaboration with Sb_soulblessed on instagram. We have a series called wake and bake Wednesdays where we highlight local dispensary’s by wearing their merch or having their products in the series. Currently I am also working with Lola Buckwald on a project called Paint the Beat. Paint The Beat is a series that highlights local artists in the community, as well as herself. Lola is a self taught portrait artist. We do interviews with the artists so that they can express themselves and how they became an artist. We do a reveal party where they can invite their family and friends to see the portrait reveal and then at the end of that we do merchandise for the artist so that they can be able to gain profit. This second series we are highlighting community members that have paved the way for the BIPOC community. I also currently have 5-6 local artists that I am working with for music videos. Some of the artists I am working with are; Bruce Leroy, 43, Khoraan, Plaedo, Funk Plastic & Chill Will. I am working on Juneteenth, which will be the second year that I am involved with putting it together. I have been assisting with the after party. I also have the Black Cultural Festival coming up in August.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Spice & Steam and Cheba Hut
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve been here for 6 years, going on 7.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Most recently, Jasun Plaedo Wellman is an artist. He works with the homeless camps as a community organizer and helps them get back to civilization. He also works with the local community gardens to teach community members how to grow and work in the garden and grow food at home. He is currently working on an album with 60 different artists. He has been working on it for the last 9 months to a year. His album will feature artists from places like British Columbia, the middle east, Eugene, Georgia and many other places. I think he’s very interesting and everything he is doing is inspiring for sure.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Puerto Rico or Cuba. I want to immerse myself in a different culture and try the food and just be in the environment.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Martin for sure and another one is the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. For movies I like Donnie Darko and Money Talks.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be patient and always reevaluate the people that you are around. Be confident in any endeavors that you are in and always make sure you give a good first impression. Always try to give back no matter where you are in life. My mom always told me, Take what you need and leave the bones.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I want to go skydiving one time. I think I might have to do that just one time.
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Dizzy Wright, I would love to bring him to Eugene.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Public Street Wear. They’re not here anymore but they were a company where you could get premium designer street wear. It reminded me of that hip hop environment. I loved it there but they closed due to covid.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where would y’all meet for this lunch?
T-Bone Weldon, he talked to me as one of his sons. I came from a rowdy environment and he coached me in Eugene. The game he would give me was in a father figure way. He used to tell me to be confident in myself and my blackness and to step into my power. I would take him to eat at the cheesecake factory in Las Vegas.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
How personable people are. There is eye to eye contact and the culture is very talkative, informative and personable.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself in my own store front for Day In The Life Entertainment with a little plaque that says Treylon Day. I see myself venturing into real estate and crypto currencies, NFT’s and really start investing in life insurance. I also see myself going back to school and getting my bachelors.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m actually a very good dancer.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
San Diego, CA
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
September because of my birthday. My don’t really celebrate holidays anymore, every day is a holiday in my life. I love Fridays.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The feeling of getting up there and dunking on a hoop.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Myself
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Bed Bath & Beyond Japanese Cherry Blossom scent and Gumbo.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, Stability, Safe House
