Today we’d like to introduce you to Bajani Whitehurst.
Hi Bajani, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Yes, I’d love to share. My journey to where I am today is truly a result of the universe’s grace, but it’s also been fueled by drive and focus. Through these, I’ve managed to rise above the circumstances I was born into. I grew up in Chicago, and my life back then was far from what it is now. I always knew that wasn’t the life meant for me. Though it would have been much easier to settle for a life of lower quality, I made it my mission to take control and shift my mindset. This transformation eventually enriched every aspect of my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. When people first meet me, they might assume I had an easy upbringing—perhaps born into financial stability, a healthy family, and a life that was more or less laid out for me. However, one day I hope to write a book to encourage others who grew up the way I did. I was raised in a highly religious and conservative household, and my mother was absent from my life, never providing the guidance a mother typically gives to her daughter. I often felt like a burden and had to fend for myself from a very young age. I’ve been working since I was 13, taking on any small job or side hustle just to take care of myself. At 16, I was kicked out and have been on my own ever since. Growing up in Chicago had its beauty, and I can’t deny that it shaped my values and life experiences. However, it’s also a dangerous place, and I’ve encountered my share of struggles there. I grew up with very little—no college fund, no clothes, no car, and no financial support to participate in typical teen activities. We often relied on food shelters and lived without hot running water.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I’m back in school to further my education, and I’m proud to say I passed this semester with a 4.0! I couldn’t be more proud of that accomplishment. I’m known for having multiple creative outlets that help me feel whole as a person—whether it’s creating small pieces of art (even though I’m not the best at it, lol), cooking, dancing, or skating. I try to live each day to the fullest and give back to my younger self now that I’m able to do so.
I’m most proud of not allowing my circumstances to hold me back or keep me in a dark, low-functioning environment. I wanted more, and I made it happen. I never say something I don’t plan to do, so moving out of Chicago is one of my greatest accomplishments. Many people aren’t as fortunate, and I’m praying for them—not just in Chicago, but everywhere—every day.
When I left Chicago, I moved to Arizona for a year, and that experience truly healed me. The way of life there is so different and spiritually centered, and I believe I was called there to heal my mind and heart before embarking on the rest of my journey. Now, I’m in Houston, working on building a community, focusing on my all-girls social group, and possibly getting back into the creative space of modeling while connecting with like-minded people in Houston’s amazing creative scene!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay self-aware and truly know who you are. By doing this, you naturally attract what aligns with you, and it’s only a matter of time—if it’s meant to be—for you to reach where you envision yourself. I’ve also learned that people are just people, and you can’t hold on to the consequences of their actions or mistakes. Everyone is experiencing life in their own way, and it’s everyone’s first time here, so always offer grace—even when it’s not deserved. Be true to yourself, and have the faith and courage to want more for your life. Life is only lived once, so don’t spend it listening to what others try to tell you to be or believing that your circumstances define you. That’s not true. Your life matters, and you are incredibly important.
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