We were lucky to catch up with Aziyah Harps recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Aziyah, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I developed my confidence by learning to show up for myself fully and unapologetically, even when I was scared or unsure of how I’d be received. I realized early on that as Black women, we’re constantly told to be mindful of how we move, how we speak, how we carry ourselves, especially when we exude confidence. There’s often pressure to shrink ourselves to make others feel comfortable. But that’s never been me. I’ve always tried to live in my truth, even when it was uncomfortable or unpopular.
One of the biggest tests of my confidence this year was competing in the Miss Spelman College Pageant. It was something I’d dreamed of doing before I even stepped foot on campus. Becoming a contestant took months of preparation, intention, and faith. It wasn’t just about the pageant—it was about honoring the promise I made to myself to go after something I deeply believed in.
When my contestant reveal video unexpectedly went viral on TikTok, reaching over four million views, it opened my eyes to just how much people project their own opinions, judgments, and assumptions onto Black women, especially those of us who dare to be visible and vocal. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about me or Spelman. It was about what people thought about women like me. Navigating that space as a first-generation college student with limited support reminded me of my purpose and pushed me to ground myself in what really mattered.
I kept going because I knew my presence was bigger than me. I wanted to be a reflection for girls who look like me, those who didn’t have a roadmap or someone holding their hand every step of the way. Despite the negativity and pressure, I stayed the course and ended up placing on the court as the Second Attendant to Miss Spelman College. That moment meant a lot to me, not just because of the title, but because I got to tell my story my way. Not the scared version of me, but the bold one. The one who chose to believe there were no limits on what she could accomplish.
That’s where my confidence lives now—in doing the hard things, even when the world is watching, and still choosing to be exactly who I am. philippians 4:13 “ i can do all things through christ who strengthens me”
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Right now, I’m focused on preparing for graduate school and eventually law school, with plans to build a career at the intersection of politics, communication, and law. My ultimate goal is to become a White House Press Secretary, using my voice and platform to advocate for truth, transparency, and equity. I’m passionate about creating policy change and being part of conversations that shape the future, especially when it comes to justice and representation for marginalized communities.
At the same time, I’m really excited about reigniting my journey as a content creator. I’ve grown a community of over 30,000 subscribers on YouTube and 21,000 followers on TikTok, which I once thought I had to pause to be taken seriously in my career. But I’ve realized that storytelling and creativity are powerful tools, especially for someone like me who wants to shift narratives and connect with others in a meaningful way. Social media has become a space where I can express my voice freely, showcase my journey, and inspire people who are navigating their own paths. I plan to continue creating content that reflects my truth and encourages others to stand in theirs.
I want people to know that my “brand” isn’t about perfection—it’s about purpose. It’s about showing up with authenticity, leading with intention, and never being afraid to take up space. Whether I’m in a courtroom, on a stage, or speaking truth to power, everything I do is grounded in making a meaningful impact. That’s what I’m building—and I’m just getting started.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance has carried me through every challenge—whether it was being a first-generation college student figuring things out on my own, navigating imposter syndrome, or pushing through moments of doubt when things felt overwhelming. I learned that progress doesn’t always look or feel pretty, but continuing to show up, even when it’s hard, makes all the difference.
Determination kept me focused on my goals, even when I didn’t have a clear roadmap or constant support. There have been so many moments where it would’ve been easier to shrink myself or settle, but I’ve always had a deep belief that I’m meant to do more. That belief pushed me to apply for competitive opportunities, step into leadership roles, and take bold risks—like running for Miss Spelman.
Discipline taught me how to stay grounded and consistent, especially when motivation fades. Balancing school, internships, pageants, and content creation isn’t easy, but discipline reminded me to prioritize what matters and to move with intention. It’s the behind-the-scenes work, the late nights and early mornings, that often determine how far you go.
For anyone early in their journey, my biggest advice is this: you don’t have to have it all figured out, but you do have to be willing to keep going. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that consistency will take you further than perfection ever could. Build habits that align with your goals, stay focused on your “why,” and never underestimate the power of believing in yourself—even when no one else does.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I believe in doing both. It’s called a strength because you continue working on it, not because it’s perfect. But at the same time, I think it’s important to be aware of your areas of growth and work on them too. I don’t believe in neglecting one for the other. There’s power in sharpening what you’re already good at while also developing the things that don’t come as naturally.
For me, communication has always been a strength. I love storytelling, public speaking, and expressing ideas in creative ways. But even though I’m confident in that, I still practice, rehearse, and refine my voice constantly. Competing in the Miss Spelman College Pageant was a reminder that even our strengths require maintenance. I had to prepare for interviews, work on stage presence, and learn how to articulate my story in a way that was authentic and impactful. Just because I was naturally strong in those areas didn’t mean I could skip the work.
At the same time, I’ve had to work on being more patient and detail-oriented, especially when it comes to things like research or policy writing. Those weren’t my strongest skills in the beginning, but I knew they were important for where I wanted to go professionally. So I put in the time, asked for help when I needed it, and stayed open to growth.
Being well-rounded doesn’t mean you have to be great at everything. It means you’re willing to grow in the areas that matter while still pouring into your strengths so they remain sharp. That balance is what has helped me most on my journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iiam.aziyah?igsh=MXhxbWhlZWl1bnprcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aziyah-harps-191002207?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aziyahscontours?si=CZNT7HWziYH0uTBU
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