Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ahmieda Toure. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ahmieda, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I have learned to be successful even when I am the only person in the room that looks like me through the strength of perseverance and knowing the doors I open for people coming after me. Although at times it can feel uncomfortable or discouraging, it pushes me to strive for the better and outdo myself. Also remembering I am in that space for a reason, though I may look different, I clearly have something in common with everyone else that put me in the same room in the first place. The spaces I am so welcomed into today, at one point in time were not such inviting spaces for someone who looked like me. Someone had to go through the same trials of being different and an outcast for me to be able to sit comfortably in the rooms I do today. Being able to see more and more people who do look like me in these rooms make me feel good about our future and the rate of inclusion.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a 23 year old tv and commercial actress looking to expand my career within the industry. Growing up with immigrant parents who were constantly working, my brother and I found solace in tv and film. My brother would make us snacks and we would watch a movie or tv show together while being the strictest tv critics. For me, acting is a safe space that allows me to be vulnerable and show my emotions fully. I believe the true art of acting is living multiple lives. Each role you obtain as an actor is a new identity if done to the fullest extent. You must truly become the role you are trying to embody and to me, that is the closest we get to living multiple lives in one. Growing up, seeing black girls/women on the tv screen having jobs or roles in society that are not usually showcased towards us was a feeling hard to describe. As a child, it allowed me to dream, to see myself as more than whatever I was told. It gave me courage to follow my passion and I can say seeing more and more people that look like me push me to be consistent with my work because I see it is not impossible.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
There are many things that can add to one’s success within their career. For me personally, one of my qualities I believe was most impactful was my ability to communicate/articulate myself well. Knowing how to speak to others is crucial in life no matter the circumstance. Whether you are in a job interview or simply speaking to your grandmother, knowing where you are and who you are speaking to is important. Knowing how to talk to others and how to articulate myself has gotten me into more rooms and given me more opportunities than my talent or knowledge ever has. Another quality I believe was fairly impactful towards my career was my consistency. Being consistent allowed me to keep up with trending media and cinema on a regular basis. It forced me to indulge in what everyone else was indulging in, engage in relevant conversations, and see what people want to see on the screens as well. This gave me a different perspective as an actress and helped with my craft immensely. The last quality I believe was impactful was my ability to understand human behavior. As a college student studying psychology, learning and understanding human behavior and the mind are essential tools I use regularly when acting. Using psychology, I am able to fully immerse myself within a role the way it is needed to fully portray. To be able to tell a story through acting is the main goal of any actor, and in that you must become your role. This pushes me to ask the questions “what would my character do?” “What would my character think about this?”.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Sometimes, you can’t escape that overwhelming sensation that creeps up on you. It happens to the best of us at the worst times possible. One of the main things I do to help those overwhelming feelings is telling myself “be where your feet are”. This may seem like something small and even irrelevant, but often times I find myself getting overwhelmed by thoughts of tasks I need to complete or should have gotten done. That can be from things at home to the next role I am trying to pursue, and can make me feel overwhelmed all around. Reminding myself of where I am at the moment usually calms me and lets me enjoy the moment because all we have is now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm13823455/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahmiedatoure/profilecard/?igsh=MmY4ZW91dmpkcWRp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EeVYoAK4J/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ahmiedatoure?_t=ZT-8sk2Zl4gcaE&_r=1
Image Credits
Gary Mapp – Makeshift Studios
