Picture by Chelsey Ashford Photography
ShareGVL is a nonprofit whose primary purpose is to prevent cyber-bullying and promote mental health awareness. Sponsor a ShareGVL story to get the block party talking about your brand or business. For $100.00 per story, you’ll reach an audience of 16,000 folks (website, newsletter and social media). Inquire by clicking button for further information:
Name: Robbie Randolph
What is the most interesting fact about yourself? I’m a father to four amazing kids ages: thirteen, ten, seven and five.
How long have you been in Greenville? Off and on, I have been in Greenville my whole life. I was born in Charleston, moved to Orangeburg when I was one and then in fourth grade, moved to Fountain Inn.
I graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1997 and then Charleston Southern in 2001; had a brief little time in Florida and then moved back to Greenville in 2004.
What is your background? I grew up in this area [Greenville] and I always wanted to leave after graduating college. Pretty much, I thought that I would go to college in Charleston and never come back to Greenville.
I lived in Fountain Inn growing up, it was a simple town out in the country. My family and I never went into Downtown Greenville, wasn’t anything there. Our Sundays consisted of going to church and then to my parent’s hometown of Travelers Rest for Sunday dinner. For the most part, my family and I were in the Fountain Inn area, with the exception of going to the beach two times out of the year. It was really simple.
I remember that I would drive to church without a license when I was at the age of fourteen. I even remember the closest grocery store being the Winn Dixie on Highway 14 and Woodruff Road. Back in the day, that took fourteen minutes. Now, it takes 45-minutes. Greenville has really changed.
When I moved back to the Greenville Area, in 2004, people would always want to go to Downtown Greenville for dinner. I thought to myself, ‘why in the world would we do that?’ And then I would show up, and I was amazed at the transformation. Everything was changing downtown, I guess that is why I live downtown [now].
What are you currently reading and/or watching? I am reading, ‘Together We Cannot Fail: FDR and the American Presidency in Years of Crisis’ by Terry Golway
I am watching Schitt’s Creek on Netflix
What is your hobby(s)? I am a CycleBar Ambassador so I obviously enjoy both CycleBar and cycling: I have been cycling for the past couple of years. I enjoy yoga, all things interior design and I love going to open houses, which all works well since I’m a realtor and interior stylist.
What phrase do you try to live by? Love God and Love Others.
Who do you work for? I am self-employed but wear many hats. I am a realtor with Blackstream Christie’s International. I am also a fashion and interior stylist, and I also lead a Bible Study, ‘Rainbows and Jesus’ where we have conversations about sexuality and Faith. A lot of people have abandoned their Faith because of sexuality: I want to engage people in a home environment, be in a safe place regardless of your orientation or beliefs.
How would you describe Greenville? It is a very affluent town that loves to help others it has a sense of charity. We in Greenville can disagree on certain things but we always want to help, we have a community here. This is why people flock here: our community.
A lot of people that are not from Greenville should realize that Greenville is a safe place, and as a gay man, I am looking at Greenville from an open point of view.
However, we are not 100% welcoming. There has been a lot of injustice and I want to change that. I want people from both inside and outside of Greenville to have empathy for one another regardless of their walk and beliefs.
How would Greenville describe you? I would hope that they would say someone that brings Joy to their lives, someone that changes their perspective. I mess up sometimes but I try my best.
Why do you love Greenville? It’s a big family to me, I love interacting with folks downtown. I like the fact that I can jump on the Swamp Rabbit Trail on my bike, catch a great show at the Peace Center and have an amazing meal any night of the week. The seasons are great and it’s a great place to raise a family.
Where is your favorite Greenville morning hangout? Village Grind or Bridge City Coffee.
Where is your favorite Greenville evening hangout? Halls. You can always find me at Halls.