Thirty-eight-year old businessman Ricardo Cleveland has switched lanes to focus on his modeling career, which he stumbled upon accidentally after being discovered by a local fashion photographer.
Born in Columbus, Georgia, hometown cutie Cleveland now calls Atlanta home. “What I love most about living in Atlanta is the southern hospitality that we are so well known for,” he says. “I also love the amazing palette of colorful leaves in the fall and of course the diverse culture of this New Hollywood of the South.”
“I never knew my father and still don't to this day,” he shares. “My relationship with my mother was very strained...Through the years, I have learned to forgive the past hurts...we have began to work towards a better relationship currently.”
“Growing up was somewhat difficult as I spent time in a foster home, however my aunt was my foster parent that raised me and my three sisters,” says Cleveland. “I often spent time being the protector of my sisters, seeing as I was the only boy (brother). I fell victim to hanging with bad crowds, with no father or mother in the picture at that time. However I found my voice through playing sports, particularly basketball.”
“What inspires me to keep pushing forward is my family,” says Cleveland. “The struggles that we went through growing up always stays with me and motivates me to push myself more. I constantly drive myself to be a better man and strive to be the best time I can be.”
“I tend to combine routines during my workout to keep my muscles from getting use to the same regimen,” says Cleveland. “I also go by the 25 second rule which is to break for 25 seconds before hitting the next set of reps.”
“I feel that through my mentoring of other young men and boys of my story impacts them to go down a different path from the one I initially chose,” he shares. “I speak to them about being more positive, responsible, learning life lessons that will lead to their ultimate successful goal!”
Cleveland enjoys singing in the shower and sandwiches, he tells us.
In his free time, Cleveland enjoys working out, listening to music and mentoring youth. Keeper alert!
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“A perfect date for me would be arriving with flowers to pick up my lovely female date,” says Cleveland. “Dinner and a movie along with lots of great conversation and laughter.”
“When I was about 13 years old I saved a drowning young guy, after which I was made one of the Life Guards for the Boys & Girls Club,” says Cleveland.
We just have one word for this photo: abtastic!
Cleveland describes himself as funny, creative and intelligent. Three qualities we just love in a man.
Can you find anything wrong with this picture? Not us! “The type of woman that excites me is one with great conversation and sex appeal,” he says. “I love a woman that knows her way around the kitchen and always has my best interest in mind.”
“I love what I do for a living, however, I am yet striving to take my career to the next level,” he tells us. “I feel I can always stand to be better and I am determined to reach my ultimate goals through hard work and determination.”
“My career started when I was invited to a local fashion event here in Atlanta,” Cleveland recalls. “At this particular event, I was captured by a photographer which led to more modeling opportunities. Later a friend of mine introduced me to International Photographer, James C. Lewis, and the rest in now history.”
“I would say that I am a perfect catch because I am a hardworking entrepreneur with a great personality,” says Cleveland. “I am humble. I am spontaneous. I can cook and clean and I am creative.” If you agree, tell us below!
