Meet The xoNecole Tribe: Gynai Kristol, Video Editor
In Meet the xoNecole Tribe series, readers are introduced to the members of the xoNecole team that keep the site up and running with their textured and varied stories and voices. In the monthly series, you get a more in-depth look of the person behind the pen, social media, the lens, or whatever they might contribute to the brand.
Meet Gynai Kristol, our dope af video editor:
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
Background
Where are you from? Born & raised is South Central Los Angeles, but based in Brooklyn, NY now.
How old are you? 27
What's your occupation? Video Editor
Where did you go to school? And what was your major?
The University of California, Los Angeles with a major in African American Studies.
When did your love affair with film begin?
Honestly as a kid, I was always glued to music videos (which were my first love), biopic films, and docuseries like Diary and Behind the Music. I could and would watch that all day until my mom forced me to go play outside. And I'd also say that I was inadvertently influenced by my grandad too because he did photography. I bought my first camera in undergrad and haven't looked back since.
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
"I bought my first camera in undergrad and haven't looked back since."
How and when did you start working with xoNecole.com?
It's actually kind of crazy how it happened. My friend tagged me in a tweet Necole posted about looking for more content creators. Being that I'd been following Necole's work since the Necole Bitchie days, I said 'why not reach out, what's the worst that can happen?' So I emailed her, she responded that night, we had a call the next morning, and then I met with her the day after that. And December of 2017, I was officially working for xoNecole.com
How do you practice self-care?
My go-to's lately have been aromatherapy (oil diffusers are something amazing, let me tell you), going to the gym, and sweating my stress away as well as getting those endorphins up, and then I've also been creating different playlists for different moods, ranging from ratchet/ignorance to super lovey dovey, because balance. And on top of all of this, my constant self-care is having my phone on Do Not Disturb 24/7, too many notifications make me anxious.
"My constant self-care is having my phone on Do Not Disturb 24/7, too many notifications make me anxious."
Are you single?
Like a dollar bill. HA!
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
What are your interests? Do you have any hobbies?
I like a lot of artsy type of things. So you'll see me at random art pop ups in NY a lot, especially since I told myself to go outside more in 2019, as well as travelling when I can.
What is your favorite book of all time? What’s the last book you read?
My favorite goes to The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. I read it right before I moved to NY and it's what gave me that extra push to take that leap and leave my comfort zone. And coming in at a close second is The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, which is the last book I finished reading.
What’s your endgame? Why do you do what you do?
Aside from continuously improving my video editing skills, I'm working at bettering myself at creative direction, which aids in me becoming the best director I can be period. I want to continue to help tell our stories in the best and most relatable ways, shining positive light on our culture through film. You'll see my work soon, I'm sure of it.
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
What is the most rewarding part of your job? What is the most challenging part?
The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that a lot of times, the videos have a super positive and uplifting impact on those watching. It feels good to make others feel good. I'd say the most challenging part would be wanting to do so many different video ideas, but not having all the [wo]man power to knock it out at the speed/rate wanted.
What advice do you have for other freelance filmmakers/video editors?
Doing everything on your own is impossible and you shouldn't try to. Don't be afraid to just ask. Ask for help, ask questions about things you don't know, ask for job opportunities, JUST ASK. Shoot your shot. Oh and...GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY.
How can we keep up with you on social media?
Follow me on Instagram @_kristolklear!
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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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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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