Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Octavia Cohen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Octavia, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
To be the only person in the room who looks like me requires being a listener in order to discern and directed if that’s room I am supposed to enter in the first place!
Being bald with and on purpose, it was mandatory to heal and overcome any and all low self-confidence and esteem that I have personally experienced by surrendering (getting out of my own way) to the Creator…to be a vessel and a beacon of light for people who experience Alopecia undercover and out loud, as well as for people who experience personal challenges.
Because I am a beautifully bald, tall, melanated woman, I have learned to walk in boldness and confidence. I have been told that your energy enters the room before your physical self. Most people see my baldness before they “see” me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My journey with Alopecia began when I was 9 years old. My hair loss looked like thinning and bald spots around the front perimeter and temples of my head. It was difficult to wear many hairstyles of 90s (my teenage years).
I have always had a love & respect for locs. I decided to loc my hair, which I had for at least 7 years, before coming to terms with cutting them. It was a hard decision yet it was necessary due to new found discoveries of hair loss and thinning. The new discoveries made me dig deeper, which led to asking my mother about our family history and then seeking out a dermatologist. Both experiences encouraged me to go further and deeper to find out more about this new found term, “Alopecia”.
In June 2018, the Creator gave me Shades of Blue Alopecia Awareness. I am an Alopecia Awareness Advocate: I am a strong tower for people who has experienced any form of Alopecia, people who do not know how to share their vulnerability with experiencing hair loss and the steps that follow. I also educate and Awareness to the community. I have created 3 calendars that is also an educational tool and an opportunity for people with Alopecia to tap into a new found boldness & confidence for their journey.
I also design bold, beautiful and exclusive wood jewelry, that is hand-crafted and painted to accessorize and enhance the boldness and confidence that you possess.
I have an Alopecia Awareness calendar and this edition focuses on men with Alopecia. I have designed journals and themed jewelry that coincides with The Color Purple. There are so many ideas that the Creator has given me…at times I can’t keep up, however, I am grateful.
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?
The three impactful commodities in my journey are: listening to my higher power, trusting in self & that higher power and execution.
Being successful requires being a listener as your guides instruct you on how to maneuver. Being willing to surrender your will is what it will take if you desire the best. Being in our/your own way is self-sabotage.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest area of growth is un-becoming. I desire to erase everything I’ve ever known in order to experience something totally different and new. From my recent findings, I’ve found it necessary to detach from Mindsets, behaviors, traditions,conditions and everything else to un-become. I have a greater desire & yearning for the best. I don’t want to do it my way because obviously, it was not of my best interest.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coppercohens.com
- Instagram: @coppercohens; @shadesofblueaa
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/coppercohens
- Other: www.facebook.com/shadesofblueaa www.shadesofblueaa.com
Image Credits
Keith Archie Michael Jackson Georgia Nubia Kat Sherer
