Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Wicks.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It’s really hard to pinpoint which story to tell when I’m asked about “my story.” I feel like I’ve lived many different lives in a very short time because I’ve switched gears so much! Primarily, you can call be a professional student since I’ve been in school forever, but beyond that, I’m a creative, an agent of change and a servant leader. Since middle school, youth education and development has been my main focus. At first, it started off as something my granny made me do during the summers but it eventually evolved into what I “do.” From committing years to the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools to working at non-profits geared towards youth education, my life has seemed to revolve around the advancement of underserved youth. However, in between being a student and youth advocate, I served as a Team Leader for Americorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), which substantially broadened my view of the world. All of my somewhat random experiences have come to shape who I am and what I aim to be, which is somebody who positively impacts the world one person at a time.
Has it been a smooth road?
Unfortunately, the main obstacle I’ve had on my journey has been myself. To this day, my biggest struggle is trying to navigate how I feel, what I want, and how I want to go about living my life. Many people look at me and think I have it figured out but I’m here to declare that nobody has it ALL figured out. You can be the most successful person in your career but you’re struggling with your interpersonal relationships. You can have a million followers on Instagram but feel extremely unfulfilled. What it comes down to is defining what success looks like to YOU. Nobody else can define it for you and that’s what makes it difficult. Sifting through what you’ve been told you’re “supposed” to do and figuring out what you actually want and need is hard work! In my journey, I struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, which ends up looking like laziness and procrastination. At the core of it is fear. Fear of failure, fear of not doing it “right,” and fear of wasting my time and resources. Don’t worry, though! I know I am more than enough and beyond capable, I just have to practice getting past myself. We all do, to be honest.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of. What sets you apart from others?
People would define me as a social media influencer just because I have a certain amount of followers on Instagram, but I’m seeking to make that title have more truth to it. I am an influencer but it’s not because I post about how I do my hair and some cute pictures every once in a while. I influence how people view their life journey. My “Ain’t No Typos” mantra is my reminder that life goes on and there are no backspaces because there are no re-dos. You have to view each move as a move in the right direction whether you want to or not. That’s how you keep your sanity and that’s how you learn. My Instagram just so happens to be the platform that allows me to get that message out but I plan on branching out in the future.
Beyond that, I plan on completing this Ph.D. in a few years so I can go on to continue to educate in new spaces. I’m a Hip-Hop scholar, so you’ll see me around *wink*.
Who have you been inspired by?
My mama is undoubtedly where I got my light-hearted creative spirit, but my granny instilled in me the value of serving others. Both of them is how I became who I am. The creativity and DIY spirit of my mama is evident in my everyday life. My granny made us volunteer at a young age, so she taught me the importance of giving whenever you can. How I function can be directly linked to them and I am forever grateful.
Further, I have to give credit to the women I call my friends because they are the epitome of Black Girl Magic. Watching them turn their dreams into a reality feeds my spirit daily. I am constantly reminded of the power we hold because of their bravery and willingness to bet on themselves.
On a bigger scale, Ella Baker’s servant-leadership philosophy is the foundation of how I approach life. As a leader, we cannot be dictators, we must build everyone up so they can go on to do the same. There is little to no growth in simply following the directions of the person in charge. Servant leadership means recognizing the power in everybody on the team, allowing them to practice their strengths and strengthen areas that need improvement.
Contact Info:
- Email: wicksamanda@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @stacysinterlude
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1fjrfmFLNDNgywJ_ki-jfA
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