Marsai Martin Is Proof That We're Never Too Old Or Too Young To Pursue Our Wildest Dreams
In junior high school, you could catch me somewhere giving my desktop a virus from pirating music. And then you have Marsai Martin, who is pitching whole films to Will Packer and Kenya Barris at only 10 years old.
We've gotten the opportunity to watch the now 14-year-old star grow up on the hit ABC show, Black-ish and now she's breaking out on her own as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood history. Her latest project Little was inspired by the classic Tom Hank's film Big and will feature some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Marsai pitched the idea nearly four years ago with maturity and confidence that left the executive producers stunned. Martin told The Root:
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"After the Season 1 finale of Black-ish, we told Kenya Barris about it, and he called Will [Packer] and said: 'Yo, you know the girl who plays Diane on Black-ish? She has this dope idea!'"
Not only did she wow the likes of Packer, who produced our favorite blockbusters Girls Trip and Ride Along, but its creation provided roles to some of the industry's most talented and notable Black women, Issa Rae and Regina Hall. Talk about drippin' Black girl magic!
The comedy entails a story of a powerful businesswoman, Jordan Sanders, played by Regina Hall who also executive produced the film. Jordan Sanders, though good at what she does, treats people in a harsh manner and is transformed into 13-year-old kid by a child hoping to teach her a lesson. The only one that has knowledge of this is her assistant, who is hilariously depicted by Issa Rae. With undeniable talent and some stars slaying natural hairstyles on the big screen, it seems as though it is going to be impossible to leave the theaters without your chest swelling with pride.
Courtesy Universal Pictures
This has all been made possible because of a girl with a vision in an environment that embraced her ideas and encouraged her confidence. Marsai has learned a lesson that many of us are still trying to believe in: Dreams do come true. Marsai shares:
"It doesn't matter if you are four or 84, there's no limit to what you can do...And if you prove that you can do it, you don't have to wait... A 13-year-old created this film and it turned out to be a wonderful, loving and fulfilling film."
Marsai, Issa Rae, and Regina Hall will be doing much more than starring in an excellent film, they will be providing representation for younger Black girls trying to find their place in a world where they often will be the only ones in the room as they rank higher. It is so important that these spaces are created and that we not only have a seat, but can also ensure these tables are assembled with Black women in mind.
Courtesy Universal Pictures
As for inspiration, what more could you ask for? As we tweak our vision boards, it is also important to have the courage to align yourself with people with the means to support them. What are you waiting for?
Little premieres in theaters April 12, 2019. Check out the trailer below!
Little - Official Trailer (HD)youtu.be
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New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy