We were lucky to catch up with Ariel Phoenix recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ariel, 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 confidence and self-esteem by completing the hard things. Everything that I thought I couldn’t do; college, graduate school, teaching, buying a house, I was able to accomplish. I have learned to lean into my strengths and find ways to accommodate for my weaknesses. I have also found value in my own voice, opinion, perspective, and story. At 37, I now know that I am more than capable of handling anything that comes my way..
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?
At the intersection of art, education, and advocacy, I am an author and poet whose work centers unapologetically on the voices, experiences, and inner lives of Black women. Every poem I write, every page I publish, and every classroom I step into is an extension of a deeper mission: to make Black women more audible—to amplify our truths, our brilliance, our pain, and our power.
As a secondary English teacher and educational rights advocate, I understand how vital it is to not only create space but to protect and expand it. My work—whether on the stage, on the page, or in the policy room—is about turning silence into speech, invisibility into visibility, and marginalization into movement.
I write with the intention to liberate, to reflect, and to remind Black women and girls that they are seen, heard, and held in every line.
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 my journey, I have found that the three most valuable skills or qualities that I have developed were adaptability, discipline, and authenticity.
Over the years I laid many plans only to have life laugh in my face. I could have quit on my goals, but I learned how to adapt and keep moving. Discipline is the push to get things done even when I don’t feel like it and last but certainly not least is authenticity.
Yes it’s important to be yourself but it’s more important to <i>know</i> yourself. It wasn’t until I reached my 30s that I really learned myself and so I was able to teach others how to treat me. For example, I get the best work done in the morning, from about 6 am until about 1. I have developed a system to maximize my work in the morning and allow myself to relax in the afternoon. I turn that phone on DND and WORK! As simple as that sounds, it has been a game changer in my workflow and my life balance.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! I want creative exciting dynamic people who are serious about their art and their work no matter what it is. My passion is educational advocacy so I love to work with teachers and educators on pretty much anything. I have my podcast “Teacher Besties,” where I bring on educators (and admin and counselors, too) and have unfiltered conversations about the current state of education and what the future can be.
I also love to do poetry performances, festivals, open mics, and have contributed to a few anthologies. If there’s any way I can support somebody or show up for them, I will. #PoetTree
Contact Info:
- Website: Linktr.ee/arielaphoenix
- Instagram: Arielthephoenix
- Linkedin: Ariel Aaliyah Phoenix
- Twitter: ArielAPhoenix
- Youtube: Phoenix Rising Productions
