Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kena Sosa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kena , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome a lot, especially when trying on new creative hats. I remember one specific time, an old friend from my punk era had asked me to do some vocals on a recording. I am, even in my current confident state, not a great singer, so I was terrified. I tried to practice at home and just ended up with a sore throat. Nonetheless, the day came and I sat in my car outside the studio stalling my hardest. My sore throat was no excuse in this genre, so they gave me a Dr. Pepper and waited for me to step up. I didn’t want to let my friend down, but thought once they heard me it would be worse. Finally, one of the guys walked me into the hallway and reminded me that few people get the chance to record anything in a studio, so just being there in that place is one heck of an experience. He was right, who cares if I was terrible? And in this case, scratchy and loud paid off. I went ahead and screamed it out. Of course, I sounded like an angry Chihuahua but it was just what they needed. And, that experience and boost what just what I needed too.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My focus is growth, growth in all my creative endeavors because within me they are linked. My writing has a direct hand in my filmmaking. My music is inspired by experience, and they are all part of what makes me who I am as a person. I recently finished my latest short film, Knock, Knock, with an amazing cast and crew. I am pushing to thicken that film into a feature sometime in the next year and begin developing a more intense body of work for screen.
In music, I have found new family collaborating with other talented people. I will debut my first percussion performance piece called Heartbeat at the Younger Than Dirt show in 2024. This piece combines storytelling, music and the celebration of movement. Recently I also partnered with the percussionist, Ryan Taylor, as a Drum Circle Facilitator for the new movement, Do You Speak Drum?
Learning and growing only inspires me to continue to forge this path of discovery. In essence, this is who I am. This is my brand.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Humility
Even with experience and knowledge, we can always improve and enhance our skills. If ego gets in the way of recognizing where we fall short, we will not progress. As I pushed my way into filmmaking without film school, I knew, as Socrates said, that I knew nothing. So I volunteered to work on sets as a Production Assistant helping with whatever I was able to. Recognizing that there is more to the art than pressing record and that I needed to see it for myself helped me be open to so much more. I came to set, letting people know, I’ll do whatever you need, but I am learning. Acknowledging where I lacked made others more open to helping and explaining things to me too. I learned more that way than in any of my reading and made some great connections too.
Open-mindedness: Understanding that endless possibilities exist and that some of our future endeavors have yet to be imagined helps us keep doors propped open instead of letting them slowly creak closed. This also allows for unexpected relationships to grow. When I first became an author, I was over the moon with excitement to get my book into young readers’ hands. I immediately started asking around for ways to make this happen. At my first author event, which was a multi-author event, I shared a table with another author, Rickey Pittman, whose books were flying off the table. I couldn’t figure out what I was not doing that Rickey was. So I just asked him, and instead of considering me competition, he opened up and shared some of his techniques. I realized in that moment, that being an author is only 50% writing (if even that) and 50% or more, marketing. Being honest, I was not happy to understand this, but being open to it, helped me see that it was essential to my career and literally part of the job. Authors helping each other and sharing ideas boosted me to a more professional place that I had yet to imagine while my stories danced in my head. Being open-minded to the reality was key to growth.
Determination: Giving up on a real dream as opposed to a whim is a requirement. Nothing that worthwhile will be easy.
When I first moved to Dallas, I had been writing for children on my own for a while but had yet to publish a book. I submitted and submitted but was lost. So I joined SCBWI, Society for Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators and started attending critique sessions. This was critical for me in a lot of ways. I heard from other published authors how many times they were rejected before getting acceptance, how to give yourself a better chance for success with submission guidelines and what publishers were looking for as opposed to what I was sending them. Dreaming big was not enough; I had to learn the ropes. After many more submissions, I finally got the first of four contracts for a book. Had I given up or took the criticism personally, I would not be able to wear my author badge today. So grateful to be both stubborn and determined!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am excited to partner with other creatives; collaboration is one of my key goals for 2024. Filmmaking is always a collaboration, so networking and working with new people comes naturally in that field. However, I am eager to learn more skills and am currently looking for a mentor or apprenticeship to learn more about being a gaffer. Outside of film, my push is to look for new and expanding collaborators in music and those versed in performing for stage, or in combination with drum circle facilitation. My first collaboration was with a musician named Ladi, who invited me to create some instrumental pieces with him. I was on taiko and other percussion, while he played guitar, bass and the kit. I was intimidated at first, but that one experience helped me overcome so many insecurities and reminded me what I am capable of when I am willing to forge a path beyond my comfort zone. Grateful for that opportunity, I now understand that the way forward is not linear but all around me. There are so many powerfully gifted people in Dallas/Fort Worth. Together we can create and learn from each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kenasosa.com
- Instagram: @kenasosaauthor
- Facebook: kenasosaauthor/ kenaperkussion/ anekafilmsllc
Image Credits
Headshot by Planet 60 Photography Taiko solo shot by Alec Garner SXSW shot of Goisagi by Kasey Williams
