We’re looking forward to introducing you to Young Africana. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Young, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
I would definitely say I am learning from my higher self. For a while I got stuck looking in the past to see what I could learn, but the more I revisited, I would end up being a resident. I am learning that my highest self has all the answers so everyday I would ask what would I be doing right now if I were her.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Young Africana, but since we are getting a little personal you can call me by my real name, Vivian. I would definitely say what makes me unique is that whatever I do, I do it well. I take pride in being able to do my makeup and hair very well on myself as well as other people and overall just being a very well rounded individual!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served it’s purpose and must be released is the version of me that indulged in self doubt and outside validation. Although I have been on this road of entrepreneurship for past a decade, it can be lonely especially through pivotal moments in your life. As a young adult in her late 20s this is the most self aware I’ve been in my life and as I move into this new chapter of my life you also realize you will enter uncharted territories and it won’t be with the same people. So with growth, unfortunately also comes with grief and trusting yourself more than ever before.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most would have to be the fear of being seen. Not just by millions of eyes, but possibly hearing more output of people seeing you fail in public. Seeing all parts of me and not the curated one, and also just not being liked and feeling rejected. With more visibility comes with more angles, and not all angles are the best ones. So I have definitely feared the idea of being seen in my worse light and with no control of the narrative.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
That life is based off of logic. For one, logic is subjective and it’s just a scapegoat of playing life on safe mode. Manifestation is beyond real and anything can materialize in ways that doesn’t make sense. You just have to make sure you are in alignment with that vision long enough for it to materialize. So my motto is “if you haven’t seen it done yet, be the first one to get it done” . Everything that exists was once an idea.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That there is no real strategy behind what I’m doing. I’m following my heart and not data 99 percent of the time. I’m mostly acting out on inspired action and not a 6 month game plan. Overall, that I’m getting paid on God’s payroll to simply do what I love and because of that I will never lack. My legacy is built on doing what I get to do, and not on what I “have to do”.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngafricana?igsh=MWx6NWFwcWhjYnVsYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@youngafricana?si=NGWXHiEwEg4oV3I7
