We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kareema Weaver . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kareema below.
Hi Kareema, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
One of my life mottos is, “What’s the worst thing that can happen,” for the most part, I don’t factor in the worst possible outcome. I think of the positivity of whatever endeavor; as a result, I have landed in some exciting shenanigans, but each time, whether good or bad, I survived, learned, and grown as a woman. Taking risks leads to beautiful rewards or, at the very least, a great story to tell. Life comes with trials and tribulations, and many things are out of our control, but we can always control our mindset, and living in fear is no way to live. I constantly reflect on my life and remind myself that I have so much more life to live, so let’s make it memorable.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am Kareema Weaver, the creator of the Misunderstood Afro-Muslimah. I created my blog to share my experiences as a Black American Muslim woman while debunking negative stereotypes. My blog has grown into a multimedia platform, and I work with various publicists to review movies and novels.
I share my day-to-day life through my social media. I began sharing my journey with having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome( PCOS) in My PCOS Life, where I have partnered with Thinx as a Thinx Leader to help bring awareness and build a community of people who share the same and other related hormonal conditions. I have also partnered with Leafwell, an online medical marijuana certificate platform, sharing my journey with Glaucoma and how cannabis has aided and reduced my symptoms. My blog accurately represents myself, and I intend to create a platform I wish I had when I was younger.
Through my blog, I have had the honor of working on the Amazon Prime Video press junket, where I interviewed Jose Hernandez about “A Million Miles Away,” a movie inspired by his life. I have also been featured in other publications, highlighting myself and my blog.
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?
In hindsight, looking back at my career as a blogger, the three skills that have helped propelled me the most are confidence, articulation, and authenticity. Having confidence and belief in yourself already puts you ahead of the game. There will be many nay-sayers, but the reality is that if you believe in yourself and what you have to offer this world, it’ll drive the persistence and tenacity to achieve your goals. Being articulate helps you promote yourself in any situation. I believe wherever you go is a networking opportunity; you never know who you will meet. Then, authenticity, as a creator, is essential. You see a lot of other great creators, and it’s easy to get in your head and feel like maybe I should adopt their style. But staying true to your voice and craft draws in the audience. We all have something unique to offer the world, and we have the confidence to stay true to ourselves and our story.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents have always created a safe and loving environment for me to be myself. Before I saw greatness within myself and my blog, they were my number one fan. It takes much confidence to be vulnerable to the world’s opinions, and before I felt the confidence, I had my parents as a safety net. Regardless of the feedback I receive, I know I am unconditionally loved, and at least two people are supporting me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themisunderstoodafromuslimah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theafromuslimah/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfroMuslimah
