How I Choose To Be Optimistic About My Future Career

As I write this, I’m really pertaining to black women, though anyone else can definitely read this for inspiration. Almost every industry from music to television and fashion is dominated by white men. As a future black female screenwriter, I know Hollywood is competitive and racist. I literally had a breakdown over how hard it would be to obtain that career, but then I just said f*** it. There are people like me, black and beautiful, making history right now. I prep myself daily on joining them one day.

Watch TV

T.V is not just for lazy people. You can literally be inspired by it which is the main reason why I want to write for it. I’ve been watching T.V shows that have been created and written by black people because it gives me hope that I will either join them or create my own content one day. I remember seeing an article stating how only 4% of screenwriters behind major networks/shows and black. As disappointing as that its, I’m am ecstatic to see black people making their way on and behind our screens (Wakanda forever!)

Listen To Empowering Music

I love listening to Mary Mary’s Go Get It or to the Cheetah Girls’ classic Cinderella. There are so many songs out there that make me feel more confident about the future. Also, a lot of the time the artists I listen to are prime examples of rags to riches. It takes time for success to happen and there are so many singers who have been through the rejection and being overlooked route. Their music is my refuge and inspiration.

Educate Myself

When I had my breakdown, a lot of the nerves came from not being from an art school and not taking classes on screenwriting (registration at NYU sucks). When I first took my T.V class at NYU this semester, I was still overwhelmed, but I was ready to go on my future journey. It feels amazing being prepared for the future nevertheless taking on a passion. I’m one step closer to success.

I Follow Positive People

Lately, I have been binge-watching Insecure falling in love with Issa Rae. I always get hype seeing my black sisters doing their thing. Same with Tamera Mowry! Although there are times I find her questionable, I am very much like her in terms of beliefs. She inspires me so much and about a two weeks ago she posted a flashback clip of her singing in Sister Sister. Well, it turns out that singing in front of a crowd was her fear. She was happy to overcome that fear and it really influenced me to keep my eye on the prize. We often let fear drive us nuts (I know I do) but at least we have celebs who paved the way and showed us it is possible. Tia and Tamera have done their thing espcially as black women, I will one day as well.

There are so many ways to develop a positive mindset. These ways including many others, I will talk about them a different time, help me stay sane. I envision working on a show with a diverse or a black leading cas. I also envision working on a show with a diverse or a great number of black writers (black female writers would be a plus) creating art in the writer’s room. The more I envision this goal, the more I remain optimistic.