stop making excuses you’re the only one stopping eating to create something from
stopping eating to create something from
stopping eating to create something from the ground up and to be able to you know
the ground up and to be able to you know
the ground up and to be able to you know kind of walking or purpose is a great
kind of walking or purpose is a great
kind of walking or purpose is a great feeling I was just saying kind of yes
feeling I was just saying kind of yes
feeling I was just saying kind of yes woman like yeah okay I’ll fix it I’ll
woman like yeah okay I’ll fix it I’ll
woman like yeah okay I’ll fix it I’ll I’ll figure it out okay no problem and I
I’ll figure it out okay no problem and I
I’ll figure it out okay no problem and I kind of lost what I was trying to say in
kind of lost what I was trying to say in
kind of lost what I was trying to say in the process because I was trying to make
the process because I was trying to make
the process because I was trying to make what they wanted me to make what’s that
what they wanted me to make what’s that
what they wanted me to make what’s that believe nation it’s Evan my one word is
believe nation it’s Evan my one word is
believe nation it’s Evan my one word is believe and I believe in you I believe
believe and I believe in you I believe
believe and I believe in you I believe in your potential and I want to see that
in your potential and I want to see that
in your potential and I want to see that thing that you’ve got inside you explode
thing that you’ve got inside you explode
thing that you’ve got inside you explode out into the world to have a big impact
out into the world to have a big impact
out into the world to have a big impact for you your family and the world so to
for you your family and the world so to
for you your family and the world so to help you in your journey today we’re
help you in your journey today we’re
help you in your journey today we’re going to learn from actress writer and
going to learn from actress writer and
going to learn from actress writer and producer Issa Rae and my take on her top
producer Issa Rae and my take on her top
producer Issa Rae and my take on her top ten rules for success rule number one is
ten rules for success rule number one is
ten rules for success rule number one is my personal favorite and I’d love to
my personal favorite and I’d love to
my personal favorite and I’d love to know which one you guys like the best
know which one you guys like the best
know which one you guys like the best and as always guys as you’re watching if
and as always guys as you’re watching if
and as always guys as you’re watching if you hear something that really really
you hear something that really really
you hear something that really really resonates with you please leave it down
resonates with you please leave it down
resonates with you please leave it down the comments below and put quotes around
the comments below and put quotes around
the comments below and put quotes around it so other people can be inspired and
it so other people can be inspired and
it so other people can be inspired and when you write it down it’s much more
when you write it down it’s much more
when you write it down it’s much more likely to stick for yourself as well
likely to stick for yourself as well
likely to stick for yourself as well enjoy
graduated from Stanford studied African
graduated from Stanford studied African American Studies and political science
American Studies and political science
American Studies and political science was heavy into directing and producing
was heavy into directing and producing
was heavy into directing and producing plays at school and then I created my
plays at school and then I created my
plays at school and then I created my first web series my senior year
first web series my senior year
first web series my senior year eventually moved back to LA and just
eventually moved back to LA and just
eventually moved back to LA and just started doing all these odd jobs and
started doing all these odd jobs and
started doing all these odd jobs and trying to establish myself as the
trying to establish myself as the
trying to establish myself as the videographer or an editor and trying to
videographer or an editor and trying to
videographer or an editor and trying to get worked that way and hopefully by
get worked that way and hopefully by
get worked that way and hopefully by like in my mind my filming weddings and
like in my mind my filming weddings and
like in my mind my filming weddings and filming you know talents the high school
filming you know talents the high school
filming you know talents the high school talent shows I’d be discovered by a film
talent shows I’d be discovered by a film
talent shows I’d be discovered by a film director who’d be like wow you really
director who’d be like wow you really
director who’d be like wow you really filmed that wedding nicely but that
filmed that wedding nicely but that
filmed that wedding nicely but that wasn’t the case J oh my god that issue
wasn’t the case J oh my god that issue
wasn’t the case J oh my god that issue wow I haven’t seen you since college
wow I haven’t seen you since college
wow I haven’t seen you since college right this is where people who major in
right this is where people who major in
right this is where people who major in african-american studies end up sweetie
african-american studies end up sweetie
african-american studies end up sweetie I’d started a black film blog I was
I’d started a black film blog I was
I’d started a black film blog I was super into film I still am the same
super into film I still am the same
super into film I still am the same types of black movies were coming out
types of black movies were coming out
types of black movies were coming out with the same types of type of humor and
with the same types of type of humor and
with the same types of type of humor and it was frustrating and I was voicing
it was frustrating and I was voicing
it was frustrating and I was voicing that on my blog and I remember one
that on my blog and I remember one
that on my blog and I remember one comment was like you complain so much
comment was like you complain so much
comment was like you complain so much why don’t you make something and that
why don’t you make something and that
why don’t you make something and that like I was like oh well okay I will
like I was like oh well okay I will
like I was like oh well okay I will Rolling Stone in New York Times reviewed
Rolling Stone in New York Times reviewed
Rolling Stone in New York Times reviewed our show Shonda Rhimes and Shawn Ellen
our show Shonda Rhimes and Shawn Ellen
our show Shonda Rhimes and Shawn Ellen caught wind of the show and asked me to
caught wind of the show and asked me to
caught wind of the show and asked me to come in for a meeting and I picked them
come in for a meeting and I picked them
come in for a meeting and I picked them a show just in ingest basically called I
a show just in ingest basically called I
a show just in ingest basically called I hate la do’s you know it was very true
hate la do’s you know it was very true
hate la do’s you know it was very true to my heart and it was true to their
to my heart and it was true to their
to my heart and it was true to their heart
heart
heart they’re like oh my god we hey LM in two
they’re like oh my god we hey LM in two
they’re like oh my god we hey LM in two and let’s do this show and I was like
and let’s do this show and I was like
and let’s do this show and I was like this is great thank you
this is great thank you
this is great thank you trash GLA man and then developed that
trash GLA man and then developed that
trash GLA man and then developed that shot with them and something I learned
shot with them and something I learned
shot with them and something I learned was just like I was I felt like this was
was just like I was I felt like this was
was just like I was I felt like this was my one shot and I like I I was extremely
my one shot and I like I I was extremely
my one shot and I like I I was extremely I say all the time eager to please and
I say all the time eager to please and
I say all the time eager to please and Shana Milan they were great just in
Shana Milan they were great just in
Shana Milan they were great just in terms of recognizing that I’d never
terms of recognizing that I’d never
terms of recognizing that I’d never written it like TV show before and we’re
written it like TV show before and we’re
written it like TV show before and we’re great about hand-holding but I think
great about hand-holding but I think
great about hand-holding but I think where I fell short was just navigating
where I fell short was just navigating
where I fell short was just navigating Network notes and for me you know there
Network notes and for me you know there
Network notes and for me you know there was a network and then there was a
was a network and then there was a
was a network and then there was a studio that chimes in and of course Sean
studio that chimes in and of course Sean
studio that chimes in and of course Sean Elaine but I was working with them
Elaine but I was working with them
Elaine but I was working with them closely so we were on the same page but
closely so we were on the same page but
closely so we were on the same page but when the studio network would give notes
when the studio network would give notes
when the studio network would give notes I was just saying kind of yes woman like
I was just saying kind of yes woman like
I was just saying kind of yes woman like yeah okay I’ll fix it I said I’ll figure
yeah okay I’ll fix it I said I’ll figure
yeah okay I’ll fix it I said I’ll figure it out okay no problem and I kind of
it out okay no problem and I kind of
it out okay no problem and I kind of lost what I was trying to say in the
lost what I was trying to say in the
lost what I was trying to say in the process because I was trying to make
process because I was trying to make
process because I was trying to make what they wanted me to make and I think
what they wanted me to make and I think
what they wanted me to make and I think they want you to just do you they want
they want you to just do you they want
they want you to just do you they want you to funnel their notes through your
you to funnel their notes through your
you to funnel their notes through your voice and I didn’t get that at the at
voice and I didn’t get that at the at
voice and I didn’t get that at the at the time and so they ended up passing on
the time and so they ended up passing on
the time and so they ended up passing on that series after I wrote the pilot and
that series after I wrote the pilot and
that series after I wrote the pilot and you know I was devastated and was like I
you know I was devastated and was like I
you know I was devastated and was like I blew my one shot and then a month later
blew my one shot and then a month later
blew my one shot and then a month later HBO called and they were like hey we
HBO called and they were like hey we
HBO called and they were like hey we heard you’re free do you have any ideas
heard you’re free do you have any ideas
heard you’re free do you have any ideas for us and that lesson I’ll take that
for us and that lesson I’ll take that
for us and that lesson I’ll take that call please yeah I have lots of ideas
call please yeah I have lots of ideas
call please yeah I have lots of ideas and that really helped me to learn like
and that really helped me to learn like
and that really helped me to learn like I was like I’ll never like just dilute
I was like I’ll never like just dilute
I was like I’ll never like just dilute my voice again like this is why they
my voice again like this is why they
my voice again like this is why they hired me and I had to kind of learn like
hired me and I had to kind of learn like
hired me and I had to kind of learn like I’m here for a reason I have something
I’m here for a reason I have something
I’m here for a reason I have something to say and that’s why they called me in
to say and that’s why they called me in
to say and that’s why they called me in the first place advice that I would give
the first place advice that I would give
the first place advice that I would give to people is just to
to people is just to
to people is just to stop making excuses you’re the only one
stop making excuses you’re the only one
stop making excuses you’re the only one stopping you because I have to hear that
stopping you because I have to hear that
stopping you because I have to hear that myself like cuz I like I’m excuse Queen
myself like cuz I like I’m excuse Queen
myself like cuz I like I’m excuse Queen I’m procrastinating Queen I’m I’m all of
I’m procrastinating Queen I’m I’m all of
I’m procrastinating Queen I’m I’m all of those and like I would always talk about
those and like I would always talk about
those and like I would always talk about how I wanted to make this happen I
how I wanted to make this happen I
how I wanted to make this happen I wanted to to put a show out I wanted to
wanted to to put a show out I wanted to
wanted to to put a show out I wanted to make this idea happen and I want to be a
make this idea happen and I want to be a
make this idea happen and I want to be a writer and a producer but once you’re
writer and a producer but once you’re
writer and a producer but once you’re coming up with ways that you can’t do
coming up with ways that you can’t do
coming up with ways that you can’t do something you’re not gonna do it so I
something you’re not gonna do it so I
something you’re not gonna do it so I think that stop finding the ways that
think that stop finding the ways that
think that stop finding the ways that you can’t do something and find the ways
you can’t do something and find the ways
you can’t do something and find the ways all the ways that you can and just go
all the ways that you can and just go
all the ways that you can and just go for it
for it
for it I was simultaneously building an online
I was simultaneously building an online
I was simultaneously building an online following without knowing it because I
following without knowing it because I
following without knowing it because I have a genuine love for social media you
have a genuine love for social media you
have a genuine love for social media you know I I get a lot of people come to me
know I I get a lot of people come to me
know I I get a lot of people come to me and say how do I get into it you know
and say how do I get into it you know
and say how do I get into it you know how do I use social media to my
how do I use social media to my
how do I use social media to my advantage and it was it just came from
advantage and it was it just came from
advantage and it was it just came from like I’m always on it like I love being
like I’m always on it like I love being
like I’m always on it like I love being on Facebook and I remember when Facebook
on Facebook and I remember when Facebook
on Facebook and I remember when Facebook opened up internationally you know I’m
opened up internationally you know I’m
opened up internationally you know I’m half Senegalese and I was like oh snap
half Senegalese and I was like oh snap
half Senegalese and I was like oh snap okay okay that’s Nigeria so even that’s
okay okay that’s Nigeria so even that’s
okay okay that’s Nigeria so even that’s there’s already a lot of you here so
there’s already a lot of you here so
there’s already a lot of you here so come on give me Seneca um so there’s
come on give me Seneca um so there’s
come on give me Seneca um so there’s like four last names in Senegal
like four last names in Senegal
like four last names in Senegal so I was just typing in last names and
so I was just typing in last names and
so I was just typing in last names and friending people like oh yeah we gotta
friending people like oh yeah we gotta
friending people like oh yeah we gotta stick together and I ended up building
stick together and I ended up building
stick together and I ended up building like a following from people there and
like a following from people there and
like a following from people there and then in addition to that had like a film
then in addition to that had like a film
then in addition to that had like a film blog and reviewed films and TV shows
blog and reviewed films and TV shows
blog and reviewed films and TV shows just as an avid fan and started building
just as an avid fan and started building
just as an avid fan and started building that audience of course would funnel it
that audience of course would funnel it
that audience of course would funnel it through Facebook and what also just in
through Facebook and what also just in
through Facebook and what also just in in the midst of having legitimate films
in the midst of having legitimate films
in the midst of having legitimate films and television shows being reviewed I
and television shows being reviewed I
and television shows being reviewed I would slip my own work in there so that
would slip my own work in there so that
would slip my own work in there so that people who were coming from like film
people who were coming from like film
people who were coming from like film and television news were also seeing my
and television news were also seeing my
and television news were also seeing my stuff and you know it was like hit or
stuff and you know it was like hit or
stuff and you know it was like hit or miss some people were like that’s not
miss some people were like that’s not
miss some people were like that’s not what I came here for and some people
what I came here for and some people
what I came here for and some people were generally like oh this is pretty
were generally like oh this is pretty
were generally like oh this is pretty good and so grew it from there so I was
good and so grew it from there so I was
good and so grew it from there so I was just like tested absolutely what made
just like tested absolutely what made
just like tested absolutely what made her in part to stay in twist that
her in part to stay in twist that
her in part to stay in twist that was really capitalizing on a relatively
was really capitalizing on a relatively
was really capitalizing on a relatively new technology and platform to actually
new technology and platform to actually
new technology and platform to actually build her brand and a name for herself
build her brand and a name for herself
build her brand and a name for herself and her work and it started with
and her work and it started with
and her work and it started with Facebook randomly trying to add all
Facebook randomly trying to add all
Facebook randomly trying to add all friends when I when they opened up to
friends when I when they opened up to
friends when I when they opened up to like the world I was like oh my gosh I’m
like the world I was like oh my gosh I’m
like the world I was like oh my gosh I’m gonna add all the Senegalese people
gonna add all the Senegalese people
gonna add all the Senegalese people because they’re like three last names
because they’re like three last names
because they’re like three last names I’ll do is type the last names and you
I’ll do is type the last names and you
I’ll do is type the last names and you know whatever so that was like a
know whatever so that was like a
know whatever so that was like a community I created like an African
community I created like an African
community I created like an African community where we would you know share
community where we would you know share
community where we would you know share stuff amongst each other and three shows
stuff amongst each other and three shows
stuff amongst each other and three shows down the line when I launched I for a
down the line when I launched I for a
down the line when I launched I for a black girl like I had accumulated a
black girl like I had accumulated a
black girl like I had accumulated a fanbase from the other two shows and
fanbase from the other two shows and
fanbase from the other two shows and really learned from my mistakes learn
really learned from my mistakes learn
really learned from my mistakes learn what people wanted to see them studying
what people wanted to see them studying
what people wanted to see them studying like analytics and by the time that show
like analytics and by the time that show
like analytics and by the time that show was put out like there was an audience
was put out like there was an audience
was put out like there was an audience it wasn’t like huge or anything but it
it wasn’t like huge or anything but it
it wasn’t like huge or anything but it was enough for them to share with their
was enough for them to share with their
was enough for them to share with their friends and they would share with their
friends and they would share with their
friends and they would share with their friends she put that first episode out I
friends she put that first episode out I
friends she put that first episode out I don’t think we knew how many people were
don’t think we knew how many people were
don’t think we knew how many people were gonna like it
gonna like it
gonna like it but a lot of people just jumped on and
but a lot of people just jumped on and
but a lot of people just jumped on and all of a sudden it just blew up
all of a sudden it just blew up
all of a sudden it just blew up I saw Natalie the flow of this video she
I saw Natalie the flow of this video she
I saw Natalie the flow of this video she had a conformed okay and I was I just
had a conformed okay and I was I just
had a conformed okay and I was I just thought she was so beautiful and I was
thought she was so beautiful and I was
thought she was so beautiful and I was also working at a job that I was
also working at a job that I was
also working at a job that I was frustrated with and trying to get
frustrated with and trying to get
frustrated with and trying to get awkward blood girl off the ground I’ve
awkward blood girl off the ground I’ve
awkward blood girl off the ground I’ve tweeted something like man I wish I had
tweeted something like man I wish I had
tweeted something like man I wish I had an excuse like I wish someone would just
an excuse like I wish someone would just
an excuse like I wish someone would just break up with me so that I could have an
break up with me so that I could have an
break up with me so that I could have an excuse to shave my hair off and then I
excuse to shave my hair off and then I
excuse to shave my hair off and then I was like oh that’s a funny plot line of
was like oh that’s a funny plot line of
was like oh that’s a funny plot line of like a show or something and decided
like a show or something and decided
like a show or something and decided like to tweet that I was gonna or put on
like to tweet that I was gonna or put on
like to tweet that I was gonna or put on Facebook that I wanted to shave my head
Facebook that I wanted to shave my head
Facebook that I wanted to shave my head bald and so all my friends responded
bald and so all my friends responded
bald and so all my friends responded like oh my gosh do it you got to be so
like oh my gosh do it you got to be so
like oh my gosh do it you got to be so ugly oh my god what if you have a
ugly oh my god what if you have a
ugly oh my god what if you have a weird-shaped head and I was like my
weird-shaped head and I was like my
weird-shaped head and I was like my friends are terrible but I saw how much
friends are terrible but I saw how much
friends are terrible but I saw how much attention I was getting and I was like
attention I was getting and I was like
attention I was getting and I was like oh my gosh I should use this I should
oh my gosh I should use this I should
oh my gosh I should use this I should shave my head and then do a trailer for
shave my head and then do a trailer for
shave my head and then do a trailer for awkward black girl where I I feature my
awkward black girl where I I feature my
awkward black girl where I I feature my bald head and that way people who want
bald head and that way people who want
bald head and that way people who want to see what I look like will also know
to see what I look like will also know
to see what I look like will also know about this new show that I’m trying to
about this new show that I’m trying to
about this new show that I’m trying to do where does your confidence come from
do where does your confidence come from
do where does your confidence come from my confidence comes from doing what I
my confidence comes from doing what I
my confidence comes from doing what I love to be honest like to be able to
love to be honest like to be able to
love to be honest like to be able to create something from the ground
create something from the ground
create something from the ground and to be able to you know kind of
and to be able to you know kind of
and to be able to you know kind of walking or purpose is a great feeling
walking or purpose is a great feeling
walking or purpose is a great feeling like like I feel validated in having
like like I feel validated in having
like like I feel validated in having gotten you know to this point and it’s
gotten you know to this point and it’s
gotten you know to this point and it’s like seeing where I can go from here and
like seeing where I can go from here and
like seeing where I can go from here and then of course you know I love my
then of course you know I love my
then of course you know I love my friends I have a great group of friends
friends I have a great group of friends
friends I have a great group of friends that gave me confidence and who also
that gave me confidence and who also
that gave me confidence and who also simultaneously keep me grounded just
simultaneously keep me grounded just
simultaneously keep me grounded just like yo you’re not that time you’re good
like yo you’re not that time you’re good
like yo you’re not that time you’re good but you calm down you know and I love
but you calm down you know and I love
but you calm down you know and I love that and la gives me confidence being
that and la gives me confidence being
that and la gives me confidence being here like trying to start my career in
here like trying to start my career in
here like trying to start my career in New York it was humbling you know in a
New York it was humbling you know in a
New York it was humbling you know in a way cuz I always wanted to be there
way cuz I always wanted to be there
way cuz I always wanted to be there that’s stupid March maybe you can make
that’s stupid March maybe you can make
that’s stupid March maybe you can make it here you can make it everywhere like
it here you can make it everywhere like
it here you can make it everywhere like was always in the back of my mind and
was always in the back of my mind and
was always in the back of my mind and you know I struggled there for awhile
you know I struggled there for awhile
you know I struggled there for awhile but I was like happily struggling until
but I was like happily struggling until
but I was like happily struggling until I got to a point where someone kind of
I got to a point where someone kind of
I got to a point where someone kind of told me the the cliff was under me like
told me the the cliff was under me like
told me the the cliff was under me like girl you know you’re you’re like in like
girl you know you’re you’re like in like
girl you know you’re you’re like in like struggling struggling super broke you’re
struggling struggling super broke you’re
struggling struggling super broke you’re like you just got robbed like you’re
like you just got robbed like you’re
like you just got robbed like you’re doing the most thing you don’t have to
doing the most thing you don’t have to
doing the most thing you don’t have to be if you come back to LA you’ll be okay
be if you come back to LA you’ll be okay
be if you come back to LA you’ll be okay and everybody you know is here and I
and everybody you know is here and I
and everybody you know is here and I didn’t realize how much of a confidence
didn’t realize how much of a confidence
didn’t realize how much of a confidence booster it is to be in your hometown
booster it is to be in your hometown
booster it is to be in your hometown we haven’t know so many people where
we haven’t know so many people where
we haven’t know so many people where your family’s here where your friends
your family’s here where your friends
your family’s here where your friends are here and it just feels easier if it
are here and it just feels easier if it
are here and it just feels easier if it makes sense for you to quit your job and
makes sense for you to quit your job and
makes sense for you to quit your job and you know you’re you’re 100% confident in
you know you’re you’re 100% confident in
you know you’re you’re 100% confident in what you’re doing then didn’t do it but
what you’re doing then didn’t do it but
what you’re doing then didn’t do it but don’t just go on a whim and be like hey
don’t just go on a whim and be like hey
don’t just go on a whim and be like hey my job or this idea that I’m just
my job or this idea that I’m just
my job or this idea that I’m just starting and I’m not too sure about I
starting and I’m not too sure about I
starting and I’m not too sure about I think that if you can find a way to
think that if you can find a way to
think that if you can find a way to balance both because if you love
balance both because if you love
balance both because if you love something you’re gonna make time for it
something you’re gonna make time for it
something you’re gonna make time for it so if you’re not if you’re just quitting
so if you’re not if you’re just quitting
so if you’re not if you’re just quitting to make time for something that you’re
to make time for something that you’re
to make time for something that you’re unsure whether or not you’ll be able to
unsure whether or not you’ll be able to
unsure whether or not you’ll be able to fully commit to
fully commit to
fully commit to that’s not a good idea but if you’re
that’s not a good idea but if you’re
that’s not a good idea but if you’re passionate you know that you’re
passionate you know that you’re
passionate you know that you’re committed to making something happening
committed to making something happening
committed to making something happening your job is standing in the way so stop
your job is standing in the way so stop
your job is standing in the way so stop trying so hard to be someone you’re not
trying so hard to be someone you’re not
trying so hard to be someone you’re not stop trying so hard period you don’t
stop trying so hard period you don’t
stop trying so hard period you don’t have to I remember
have to I remember
have to I remember constantly feeling like I wasn’t I
constantly feeling like I wasn’t I
constantly feeling like I wasn’t I wasn’t what was expected of me and a lot
wasn’t what was expected of me and a lot
wasn’t what was expected of me and a lot of that had to do with my skin color I
of that had to do with my skin color I
of that had to do with my skin color I love that it feels so stupid but a lot
love that it feels so stupid but a lot
love that it feels so stupid but a lot of it feels I had to do with not feeling
of it feels I had to do with not feeling
of it feels I had to do with not feeling black enough like I was the right kind
black enough like I was the right kind
black enough like I was the right kind of black like I wasn’t cool enough like
of black like I wasn’t cool enough like
of black like I wasn’t cool enough like I wasn’t fun enough like I wasn’t I just
I wasn’t fun enough like I wasn’t I just
I wasn’t fun enough like I wasn’t I just wasn’t good enough or what what was
wasn’t good enough or what what was
wasn’t good enough or what what was being painted of me just even on
being painted of me just even on
being painted of me just even on television and music and that was really
television and music and that was really
television and music and that was really disheartening and I would tell my
disheartening and I would tell my
disheartening and I would tell my younger self now that you don’t need to
younger self now that you don’t need to
younger self now that you don’t need to be that it’s totally fine like
be that it’s totally fine like
be that it’s totally fine like everything’s gonna be okay and I
everything’s gonna be okay and I
everything’s gonna be okay and I honestly embrace who you are now embrace
honestly embrace who you are now embrace
honestly embrace who you are now embrace what makes you different you don’t have
what makes you different you don’t have
what makes you different you don’t have people don’t have to if people don’t
people don’t have to if people don’t
people don’t have to if people don’t like you for who you are and then those
like you for who you are and then those
like you for who you are and then those people aren’t meant to be in your life
people aren’t meant to be in your life
people aren’t meant to be in your life you don’t want them there anyway
you don’t want them there anyway
you don’t want them there anyway so stop trying to impress people by
so stop trying to impress people by
so stop trying to impress people by being someone you’re not after awkward
being someone you’re not after awkward
being someone you’re not after awkward black girl during awkward black girl you
black girl during awkward black girl you
black girl during awkward black girl you know I was producing that pretty much
know I was producing that pretty much
know I was producing that pretty much out of pocket and my pockets were empty
out of pocket and my pockets were empty
out of pocket and my pockets were empty so that was hard and I was fortunate
so that was hard and I was fortunate
so that was hard and I was fortunate enough to once I produce the first
enough to once I produce the first
enough to once I produce the first episode and I produced it for $25 and
episode and I produced it for $25 and
episode and I produced it for $25 and that was $25 to take my $5 like where
that was $25 to take my $5 like where
that was $25 to take my $5 like where did you know but food it was food it was
did you know but food it was food it was
did you know but food it was food it was to be tacos for everyone and so they
to be tacos for everyone and so they
to be tacos for everyone and so they were just generous enough to support
were just generous enough to support
were just generous enough to support their time and they knew that I just
their time and they knew that I just
their time and they knew that I just didn’t have the funds and they were just
didn’t have the funds and they were just
didn’t have the funds and they were just down to the cause and then as we
down to the cause and then as we
down to the cause and then as we continue to grow you know one of my
continue to grow you know one of my
continue to grow you know one of my producing partners from was a writing
producing partners from was a writing
producing partners from was a writing partner from college and she came on
partner from college and she came on
partner from college and she came on board and was like let me help
board and was like let me help
board and was like let me help and get my USC crew to work for free and
and get my USC crew to work for free and
and get my USC crew to work for free and then you know they were working for free
then you know they were working for free
then you know they were working for free and then after a while you feel guilty
and then after a while you feel guilty
and then after a while you feel guilty just as a creative asking people to
just as a creative asking people to
just as a creative asking people to donate their time
donate their time
donate their time when you know there’s exposure and
when you know there’s exposure and
when you know there’s exposure and things like that so we’ve just felt like
things like that so we’ve just felt like
things like that so we’ve just felt like we needed to have something to give
we needed to have something to give
we needed to have something to give people who were working 18-hour days for
people who were working 18-hour days for
people who were working 18-hour days for us and so we started a Kickstarter and
us and so we started a Kickstarter and
us and so we started a Kickstarter and that was you know we set a goal of
that was you know we set a goal of
that was you know we set a goal of 30,000 and ended up raising close to
30,000 and ended up raising close to
30,000 and ended up raising close to sixty and then that was a start of just
sixty and then that was a start of just
sixty and then that was a start of just the media being aware of us and Pharrell
the media being aware of us and Pharrell
the media being aware of us and Pharrell contacted us you know in the middle of
contacted us you know in the middle of
contacted us you know in the middle of our season and asked if he could you
our season and asked if he could you
our season and asked if he could you know fund the second season and that
know fund the second season and that
know fund the second season and that ended up changing the game this is a
ended up changing the game this is a
ended up changing the game this is a huge full circle moment for me because
huge full circle moment for me because
huge full circle moment for me because you know this is my favorite event to
you know this is my favorite event to
you know this is my favorite event to come to us Avis said it’s such a genuine
come to us Avis said it’s such a genuine
come to us Avis said it’s such a genuine like real event it’s the only one my
like real event it’s the only one my
like real event it’s the only one my publicist doesn’t have to to force me to
publicist doesn’t have to to force me to
publicist doesn’t have to to force me to go to and it’s also the first event
go to and it’s also the first event
go to and it’s also the first event where I walked a red carpet and I
where I walked a red carpet and I
where I walked a red carpet and I remember the day distinctly it was four
remember the day distinctly it was four
remember the day distinctly it was four years ago and I was fresh off of I think
years ago and I was fresh off of I think
years ago and I was fresh off of I think season two of awkward black girl and I
season two of awkward black girl and I
season two of awkward black girl and I was already nervous because I had to go
was already nervous because I had to go
was already nervous because I had to go to the event by myself which awkward
to the event by myself which awkward
to the event by myself which awkward black girls don’t like to do and my
black girls don’t like to do and my
black girls don’t like to do and my publicist Vanessa shoutout to you girl
publicist Vanessa shoutout to you girl
publicist Vanessa shoutout to you girl she was like if you do anything you
she was like if you do anything you
she was like if you do anything you better walk that damn carpet
better walk that damn carpet
better walk that damn carpet and I didn’t know what to expect but I
and I didn’t know what to expect but I
and I didn’t know what to expect but I knew I had a specific task you know so I
knew I had a specific task you know so I
knew I had a specific task you know so I had to go and I remember arriving and
had to go and I remember arriving and
had to go and I remember arriving and standing in the red carpet line and the
standing in the red carpet line and the
standing in the red carpet line and the woman in front of me turned around and
woman in front of me turned around and
woman in front of me turned around and it was the nightly thing y’all so San I
it was the nightly thing y’all so San I
it was the nightly thing y’all so San I turned and she smiled at me but I look
turned and she smiled at me but I look
turned and she smiled at me but I look down and instead of saying something
down and instead of saying something
down and instead of saying something I immediately text my younger brother
I immediately text my younger brother
I immediately text my younger brother and my sister because I knew they’d
and my sister because I knew they’d
and my sister because I knew they’d understand and my brother wrote
understand and my brother wrote
understand and my brother wrote something back like did you tell you did
something back like did you tell you did
something back like did you tell you did you tell her you a lesbian just for her
and my sister wrote something back like
and my sister wrote something back like say something to her so I put my phone
say something to her so I put my phone
say something to her so I put my phone down and I start you know and I walked
down and I start you know and I walked
down and I start you know and I walked the hell out of that line because I did
the hell out of that line because I did
the hell out of that line because I did not belong there I was not about to be
not belong there I was not about to be
not belong there I was not about to be anybody’s red carpet line so when I got
anybody’s red carpet line so when I got
anybody’s red carpet line so when I got back in line tonight I had already
back in line tonight I had already
back in line tonight I had already passed through so I stood there by
passed through so I stood there by
passed through so I stood there by myself and scrolled through my phone
myself and scrolled through my phone
myself and scrolled through my phone which is an awkward girl defense
which is an awkward girl defense
which is an awkward girl defense mechanism and I looked up for a moment
mechanism and I looked up for a moment
mechanism and I looked up for a moment and I met eyes with niecy Nash who I
and I met eyes with niecy Nash who I
and I met eyes with niecy Nash who I loved from Reno 9-1-1 at the time and
loved from Reno 9-1-1 at the time and
loved from Reno 9-1-1 at the time and she was in the front of the line and she
she was in the front of the line and she
she was in the front of the line and she winked at me and waved and I looked at
winked at me and waved and I looked at
winked at me and waved and I looked at her like you gave me an encouraging look
her like you gave me an encouraging look
her like you gave me an encouraging look like hey I feel you I did not feel like
like hey I feel you I did not feel like
like hey I feel you I did not feel like I’m alone so I got to the red carpet and
I’m alone so I got to the red carpet and
I’m alone so I got to the red carpet and I was ready I gave the carpet publicist
I was ready I gave the carpet publicist
I was ready I gave the carpet publicist I think that’s what they’re called the
I think that’s what they’re called the
I think that’s what they’re called the people that asked you for your name and
people that asked you for your name and
people that asked you for your name and they shot
they shot
they shot I did the carpet publicist my name and
I did the carpet publicist my name and
I did the carpet publicist my name and he announced he’s alright everybody and
he announced he’s alright everybody and
he announced he’s alright everybody and I took a deep breath and then I stepped
I took a deep breath and then I stepped
I took a deep breath and then I stepped onto the carpet to stand on my head
onto the carpet to stand on my head
onto the carpet to stand on my head ready for the cameras and no sooner than
ready for the cameras and no sooner than
ready for the cameras and no sooner than five seconds that I stepped on the
five seconds that I stepped on the
five seconds that I stepped on the carpet did what I heard Oh golly and
carpet did what I heard Oh golly and
carpet did what I heard Oh golly and everybody turned the camera and they all
everybody turned the camera and they all
everybody turned the camera and they all turn to this gorgeous goddess and I
turn to this gorgeous goddess and I
turn to this gorgeous goddess and I stood in the middle of the carpet like
stood in the middle of the carpet like
stood in the middle of the carpet like not sure what to do until a kind
not sure what to do until a kind
not sure what to do until a kind photographer helped me and he said hey
photographer helped me and he said hey
photographer helped me and he said hey can you move I’m trying to get Leila if
can you move I’m trying to get Leila if
can you move I’m trying to get Leila if you look at the footage from five years
you look at the footage from five years
you look at the footage from five years ago you can see me in the background of
ago you can see me in the background of
ago you can see me in the background of somebody’s interview asking to know what
somebody’s interview asking to know what
somebody’s interview asking to know what in particular what are you well you
in particular what are you well you
in particular what are you well you should act like other people look stupid
should act like other people look stupid
should act like other people look stupid but you brother
thank you guys so much for watching I
thank you guys so much for watching I made this video because sunshine Shauna
made this video because sunshine Shauna
made this video because sunshine Shauna asked me to if there’s someone you’d
asked me to if there’s someone you’d
asked me to if there’s someone you’d like me to cover in a future top ten
like me to cover in a future top ten
like me to cover in a future top ten check out the link in the description
check out the link in the description
check out the link in the description and go and cast your vote I’d also love
and go and cast your vote I’d also love
and go and cast your vote I’d also love to know what did you learn from this
to know what did you learn from this
to know what did you learn from this video what lesson really hit home the
video what lesson really hit home the
video what lesson really hit home the hardest what are you going to
hardest what are you going to
hardest what are you going to immediately apply somehow to your life
immediately apply somehow to your life
immediately apply somehow to your life or to your business leave it down the
or to your business leave it down the
or to your business leave it down the comments below I’m really curious to
comments below I’m really curious to
comments below I’m really curious to find out I also want to give a quick
find out I also want to give a quick
find out I also want to give a quick shout out to Steph reference Steph thank
shout out to Steph reference Steph thank
shout out to Steph reference Steph thank you so much for picking up a copy of my
you so much for picking up a copy of my
you so much for picking up a copy of my book your one word taking that picture
book your one word taking that picture
book your one word taking that picture posted online it’s great to see you at
posted online it’s great to see you at
posted online it’s great to see you at the cafe cracking open the book
the cafe cracking open the book
the cafe cracking open the book hopefully you’re getting tons of value
hopefully you’re getting tons of value
hopefully you’re getting tons of value from it and I really appreciate your
from it and I really appreciate your
from it and I really appreciate your support thank you guys again for
support thank you guys again for
support thank you guys again for watching I believe in you I hope you
watching I believe in you I hope you
watching I believe in you I hope you continue to believe in yourself and
continue to believe in yourself and
continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is much love I’ll
whatever your one word is much love I’ll
whatever your one word is much love I’ll see you soon
what’s the best career advice someone
what’s the best career advice someone has given you that was the best advice I
has given you that was the best advice I
has given you that was the best advice I was being soft I was in my feeling and a
was being soft I was in my feeling and a
was being soft I was in my feeling and a girl was just like stop at the song like
girl was just like stop at the song like
girl was just like stop at the song like bones not be about fiction that was the
bones not be about fiction that was the
bones not be about fiction that was the best thing ever I think it’s what you
best thing ever I think it’s what you
best thing ever I think it’s what you learn out of failure in there a lot of
learn out of failure in there a lot of
learn out of failure in there a lot of failures like I can’t go a day without
failures like I can’t go a day without
failures like I can’t go a day without feeling something but it’s just like
feeling something but it’s just like
feeling something but it’s just like what you what you take from you and like
what you what you take from you and like
what you what you take from you and like that’s I think where I thrive is just
that’s I think where I thrive is just
that’s I think where I thrive is just like okay I’m not gonna make that
like okay I’m not gonna make that
like okay I’m not gonna make that mistake that same way again how can I
mistake that same way again how can I
mistake that same way again how can I use that
use that
use that yeah the most important work ever if you
yeah the most important work ever if you
yeah the most important work ever if you had to think of one word that’s most
had to think of one word that’s most
had to think of one word that’s most important to you that sums you Apple so
important to you that sums you Apple so
important to you that sums you Apple so it would be like a little beacon pay
it would be like a little beacon pay
it would be like a little beacon pay believe nation if you want to know what
believe nation if you want to know what
believe nation if you want to know what the most important one word is for Tony
the most important one word is for Tony
the most important one word is for Tony Robbins Gary Vaynerchuk Oprah Winfrey
Robbins Gary Vaynerchuk Oprah Winfrey
Robbins Gary Vaynerchuk Oprah Winfrey will.i.am and Howard Schultz I have a
will.i.am and Howard Schultz I have a
will.i.am and Howard Schultz I have a very special secret video for you check
very special secret video for you check
very special secret video for you check the description for details
the description for details
the description for details [Music]
”
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