4 Millennials On How They Found Success Through Purpose
In today's day and age, social media has increased the number of millennials who are becoming widely recognized.
Instagram has 800 million active users that include poets, activists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, spiritual leaders, and social media personalities, providing content ranging from beautiful lifestyle photos that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye to parody videos and makeup tutorials. The accounts that I personally find myself most drawn to are people who have the qualities of tenacity, humanitarianism, reclamation of self, inner light, and authenticity that I aspire to.
The four rising gems included below are reflections of the vulnerability and inner light, and reminders of the success that can follow when you live your purpose.
Latasha
@callmelatasha
Her Instagram:
@callmelatasha, 9K followers
Her Purpose:
Entertainer
How She Found Her Calling:
"I actually became a hip hop artist by accident! As a young spoken word artist and poet, I found myself at a New York City Cypher that went viral! A few unexpected viral mixtapes later, and I was given opportunities to open up for artists like Kanye West, Ghostface Killah, Q-tip, and Nipsey Hussle.
The beginning of my personal journey begun with getting through body image and bullying issues surrounding what society says a WOC rapper should look like.
After dealing with depression and thoughts of suicide in 2012, I embraced self-acceptance, and committed myself to fulfilling my dreams. Coming from a family of immigrants that had to grind 9 to 5, I had to transform my mindset to surviving by doing what I Iove. Through expressing gratitude to the universe, positive affirmations, and hard work, I'm still working toward living my dream."
What Matters To Her:
"Resonance. It is what keeps my heart feeling full and proud everyday."
Her Advice To Finding Your Purpose:
"Journal. Write out all that is in your head. Clear your energy at the start of your day with affirmations of gratitude. Be present even through the tough days. Trust the process... It's so hard, but it's worth it!"
Nnenna Stella
@nnennastella
Her Instagram:
@nnennastella, 16.3K followers
Her Purpose:
Entrepreneur
How She Found Her Calling:
"I am the founder of, The Wrap Life, a head wrap wear company that features authentic African print wraps that inspire women to be creative through self-expression and self-love. Coming from a place of struggle, where my family had no heat or hot water at times, I never had any intentions of becoming an entrepreneur until I realized my desire to express myself through creativity. I had never worked for myself before and becoming a business owner was a totally new concept. I had to push myself to deliver my absolute best.
As an entrepreneur, I recognized the need to not place mental barriers on my strengths and capabilities.
Through the process of becoming a entrepreneur, I learned the importance of asking for help."
What Matters To Her:
"As far as my personal journey, walking in my truth by aligning my personal values with my brand has become a part of my business structure; realizing that feeling good about what I put out has to match my company's value has awarded me the opportunity to evolve as a human being in service to others. It has also kept me grateful, humble, and sound in mind."
Her Advice To Finding Your Purpose:
"Start with what you have. Be honest with yourself. Silence is golden! Don't get into the habit of talking yourself out of things, and work your ass off!"
Kamil Oshundara
@k6mil
Her Instagram:
@k6mil, 34.9K followers
Her Purpose:
Spiritual Leader
How She Found Her Calling:
"Today, I'm a IYA 'Priestess' of Shango, initiated in the Youruba IFA tradition, but from a young age, I became interested in world religion. I was raised as a Baptist in Georgia and made a conscious decision to get baptized at the age of 8. By the age of 10, I renounced Christ as my savior and wanted to find other modalities of spirituality. I struggled with Christian beliefs, and I felt it denied the power in questioning. As I developed my own understanding of the world around me, I embraced an indigenous spirit, which felt closer to my truth.
I had to work through the stigma of being an African-American queer woman who sought reclamation of African religion, surrounded by people who felt the practice of indigenous traditions were negative, evil, or not belonging to me.
Through my own personal spiritual transformation, I teach ritual and sacred study to people looking to gain a deeper connection to their indigenous roots."
What Matters To Her:
"Abundance and success career-wise should be seen as reciprocity... It's saying I believe you are worthy, and you do that in exchanging energy."
Her Advice To Finding Your Purpose:
"Don't just rest on your DNA test, follow your spirit. Look for tribes or spaces of groups that reflect who you look like. Start with the mirror, start with yourself... Get grounded in yourself and dedicate yourself to transformation."
Aja Monet
@ajamonet
Her Instagram:
@ajamonet, 18.8K followers
Her Purpose:
Spoken Word Poet/Activist
How She Found Her Calling:
"As a child, I knew that I had a purpose. Early on, I recognized my desire to become someone great in this world. I found motivation in wanting my family to be happy and live better lives. I really found an outlet through school, where I gravitated toward writing and English. I was fascinated by how stories were told and found solace in learning to question and challenge the world around me.
I found power in using my voice.
In high school, I found mentorship and political education in a program called Urban World NYC. Through this program, I was given an opportunity to travel and broaden my scope of the world in the midst of 9/11. With the energy of young voices all around me, I learned that I could change the world through the power of poetry, in the same way that Langston Hughes affected people. I found my purpose."
What Matters To Her:
"The most important form of abundance that I receive is in the Arabic term, 'Shukran,' which translates to 'thank you,' and the idea that giving things when you feel most grateful takes humility to be grateful for the smaller things."
Her Advice To Finding Your Purpose:
"Spend time in nature. Nature is powerful. If we can learn the humility in that, that could help us love each other more and stay true to yourself."
Have you found your purpose? Name it, claim it, and share it with us in the comments down below!
- 3 Unexpected Ways to Find Your Life Purpose | HuffPost ›
- 7 Strange Questions That Help You Find Your Life Purpose | Mark ... ›
- Five Steps to Finding Your Life Purpose | Psychology Today ›
- Talks to help you find your purpose | TED Talks ›
- How to Find Your Purpose in Life | Greater Good Magazine ›
- Life Purpose: 10 Tips to Learn How to Find Your Passion | Jack ... ›
- You Don't Find Your Purpose — You Build It ›
- How to know your life purpose in 5 minutes | Adam Leipzig ... ›
- Six Ways To Discover Your Life Purpose ›
Fontaine Felisha Foxworth is a writer and creative entrepreneur from Brooklyn New York. She is currently on the West Coast working on creating a TV Pilot called "Finding Fontaine", that details the nomadic journey of her life so far. Keep up with her shenanigans @famoustaine on IG.
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
Courtesy
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
Courtesy
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
Courtesy
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
Courtesy
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