i was lucky enough to attend culturecon

i was lucky enough to attend culturecon as a student ambassador representing my school, more importantly my @bsupace and @pacenaacp, and most importantly myself. this was a full day of panels moderated and spoken by black creatives from all different walks of life. i'm not really a timid person, but i do get self-conscious when it comes to how i promote myself in spaces like this. it's normal to wonder if you're going to be enough for some people, especially when you're 1 in 1000. i remember talking to my mom about being a black woman starting to professionally enter the acting industry and saying "they're either looking for a zendaya or a lupita, so where does that leave me?" it leaves me with Malaika. and there's really nothing i can do but continue to be the creative i know i am and let others know i'm here. i'm so grateful for the opportunities given to me at culturecon, and all of the wonderful people i met. hearing working black professionals speak their truth helped remind me how much of this industry that they try to sell to us as soulless is about how much heart you put into your work. and i intend to put every piece of me into mine.