Meet Billal Kamara

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Billal Kamara. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Billal, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Well, that’s where “One in a Melanin” comes from. The concepts of overcoming adversity and making the most of your circumstances are what drives me to be successful. It took me a while to understand that there was more to life than what’s readily accessible to me. The “American Dream” of being the 1st Generation son of an African, single mother wasn’t the most enticing future, based on our living conditions. And therefore, I felt that both I and my family deserved better. That’s enough motivation to push through any disadvantages that come with looking like me, acting like me and staying true to me. I’m used to being the outlier anyway and I embrace the individuality that comes with it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a host on the One in a Melanin Podcast, the most RELATABLE, FUNNY and FAMILY-FRIENDLY podcast you’ll ever watch or listen to! We chat about all types of stuff pertaining to today’s current state of the culture. Topics may include anime, fashion, content creation, music, cartoons, comedy, movies, AND MANY MORE! We have plenty of awesome episodes out with some dope guests that you may know of (BigWinnn, DooleyFunny, Retro Spectro, etc). Feel free to check out our platforms on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and pretty much all audio-streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, etc.).

Our main goal is to serve as a resource to people who may need us. It can be as simple as just providing a laugh or an escape from a stressful day. Or it can be as big as providing for those that are less fortunate. We’re hoping (Insha’Allah) that we can reach levels in our success to where we can fund school drives and food drives and donate a bunch of money to families and charities. A big thing for us is helping those who don’t have much because we know how it feels to not have much. Regardless, we’re forever grateful for the audience and the platform that we have, and we strive to provide the best content for you all!

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?

Persistence, quality and CONSISTENCY. I advise anyone who’s working towards something to be persistent when it comes to opportunities. Make yourself visible. Keep sending that collab email. Keep auditioning for parts. Keep applying for jobs. You never know who’ll take a chance on you.

Number 2. Quality is arguably the biggest reason for our growth thus far. We invest in our product to ensure that the content we put out looks professional. This is shown throughout camera quality, our audio quality, our editing, etc. People take us more serious that way and it makes our content look good. In a general sense, “quality over quantity”. If you’re able to up the quantity while maintaining high quality, you’ll be way ahead of the game. That’s not easy, but it’s possible!

Lastly, as cliche as it sounds, consistency is key! Seriously. Lord knows how easy it is to lose traction in this content industry when you don’t upload consistently. Unless you’re already established, there’s no room for you to be inconsistent. It helps you grow more in your field and people will most definitely recognize your commitment. This goes for your job, your relationships, everything. Be consistent with healthy behavior and things can only progress.

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 mom taught me to be appreciative. Her being a single mother, we didn’t have it easy growing up. But regardless of what it was, she always made it seem that whatever we had was the BEST thing ever. Although I knew were struggling, it never fully felt that way because of her good attitude in front of me. I’m 100% positive that’s why I’m as optimistic as I am today. I’m grateful for the experience because it taught me how to be “grateful”.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneinamelaninpodcast/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSlvO58vY-2RVeLE9Nmv1dQ
• Other: ALL OUR LINKS: https://link.me/oneinamelaninpodcast

Image Credits

Safiya Nawabzada, Amir Stoudamire, and Justin F.