We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful DeShon Green. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with DeShon below.
Hi DeShon, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome was something I thought I would never shake. To be honest, it still rears its horns occasionally, but the one way I am certain helped me overcome it is self awareness. I had to look inwardly to see that I belonged in these spaces, and that I was fully equipped with all that I needed to walk confidently into the spaces I once feared. I had to ask myself, “What is it that makes me feel like I do not belong?” When I realized much of that was attached to fears and insecurities I possessed, I was able to tackle them and replace them with affirmations. Affirming myself gave me value. This value meant more than any applause or pat on the back. This value helped me to not just act like I belong, to truly feel like I did too.
Community was also a huge help in defeating imposter syndrome. Having the reassurance of my peers gave me the comfort to walk in my purpose without fear of acceptance. I can’t deny the fact that God played a role in ensuring that I had a sense of belonging by divinely connecting me to others whom I could be poured into and supported by while I worked and am working through my battles with imposter syndrome. Community is capable of crafting a safe space for you to grow into who you are without judgment and with the encouragement needed to discover your self value.
Ultimately, the more space I allowed myself to grow and learn who I was, and to put myself in places that allowed me to be that version of me unapologetically, the more I was able to look imposter syndrome in the face and call it a liar. I was able to flash my metaphoric badge and walk past all the insecurities and fears that kept me from taking my seat at the table. I was able to free myself from the feeling of needing to belong and open my mind to the concept of being accepted the way that I am, or not, and being okay with that. The bottom line was I was saving myself from places I probably had no business being, and purposely walking into the places I was always meant to be.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Since my transition to film, I have performed in several independent projects within the southeast region as well as booked roles on shows like FX’s Atlanta and the Spectrum Original, Long Slow Exhale. I believe that I have found my purpose in acting. Acting has afforded me the opportunity to be a more well rounded human being, as well as granted me emotional intellect. By stepping into the shoes of characters I may or may not always directly relate to, I devote myself to telling every story as authentically as I can. Acting is an art that can be used to shape a better society, and I want to be a part of art working to do just that. I describe myself as “Living Art.” I am an ever evolving woman blessed with the privilege of being both an actress and a filmmaker, and I always find creative ways to utilize the gifts God has given me.
Outside of my career, I am a woman of many hobbies. Whether it be skating at Cascade, getting inspired at a museum, traveling, or using my creative skills to plan events, I pride myself in making a conscious effort to live life. When I am not acting, my desire is not to act, but be present in the experiences life affords me. My soul is satisfied when I am in service to others. I have volunteered my talents to assist an Atlanta non-profit, Painted Pink, for several years. They are a nonprofit dedicated to educating millennials on breast health and empowering them to take charge of their breast health. I found the organization during her own breast cancer scare, when they were invited by my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., to speak during breast cancer month. I have since found a love for the educating of my peers on the importance of advocating for themself within the healthcare space, or simply finding ways that work for them to prioritize wellness.
Fall of 2022, I joined forces with Qiana Camille and Jamaal Scott to co-write and produce our short film, At All Costs. The film was created when the questions were posed – How do black men protect black women that aren’t family, or whom they are not attracted to, or in relationship with? How do black men protect black women strangers? What does that look like? These questions are responsible for the story we chose to tell. They open conversations regarding the protection of the black female body and how that can affect others who are not black or female. The short film spotlights a man who takes matters into his own hands after witnessing a pregnant woman being brutalized by a police officer the same day as the overturning of ROE vs WADE. Since entering the film festival circuit, the film has won Director’s Choice in the Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Web Series Showcase, Best Short in the category of Liberation and Social Justice in the Best Shorts Competition, Official Selection for the Newark International Film Festival, Official Selection for the Hip Hop Film Festival, and Official Selection for the Baltimore International Black Film Festival.
Lately, I have been making it my business to “do the thing.” Whatever it is I want to do, and that is aligned with my purpose, I am choosing to make strides toward. I want to do it afraid, rather than not do it at all. I truly believe what is for me can not pass me by, but I am working toward being undeniable in every arena I enter. I desire to be a student of life and to avoid complacency. This has led me to live by the quote, “Where I am is now, is not where I will always be.”
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?
Along my journey, first, I learned the importance of self awareness. Self awareness is a practice that I can’t believe it took me so long to learn and implement in my life. The more aware of self I was, the more clarity I had. Reminding myself of God’s purpose for my life, helped me stay the course. Self awareness gave me a greater sense of self worth, but more importantly allowed me to face the things I didn’t like about myself within that reflection. It gave me permission to correct the lies I told myself of being incapable or of not belonging. It allowed me to address my responsibility in my personal success. It allowed me to straighten up my spine and create boundaries to protect me from the harm I had let others do to me. Self awareness honestly saved my life. Too often we take on others’ perception of us when all that truly matters is how we perceive ourselves.
Second, I learned the importance of true community. I’m talking about the kind that comes with the rarely received but always appreciated reciprocity. Much of my life was spent pouring from an empty cup. I either didn’t feel comfortable allowing people to pour into my cup, out of fear it would cost me something in return, or they just didn’t even turn around to consider my cup was empty in the first place. This developed a mentality I had to and am still unlearning, of feeling like I had to earn others affection. This mentality led me to people pleasing, but as a recovering people pleaser, I am only placing myself in places that come with ease. The ease of being given love in return for the love that I give. The ease of frolicking as myself with no modification in a safe space without the concern of judgment. The ease of being gently made aware of my shortcomings so that I can grow and evolve into the best version of myself. Community is my chosen family, and they have held me up along life’s journey.
Finally, I learned the importance of discipline. Now I can honestly say this was the toughest lesson life taught, but I was grateful enough to have people who were willing to hold me accountable in the best way. Discipline kept me from having things when I wanted them. One thing I heard and still hear that reminds me of the importance of discipline, is Tim Notke’s quote, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” I complained of feeling like I deserved things just because I had talent or felt I was good enough, but I can honestly admit, what was lacking was discipline. I was expecting things to come to me, that I needed to go after myself. I had to make myself undeniable. You know “stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.” Opportunities were missed because I was not prepared, when I should have always been preparing.
All of these lessons taught me how to move through the unpredictability of life and I recommend them to others who are in a rut, or who are grappling with uncertainty. My dear friend Qiana Camille said to me that we should have everything we want, and because of this I have been motivated to put myself in the mindset and posture to have it all. With a greater sense of self, a strong village, and a sense of discipline, I have developed a feeling of invincibility.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In the past twelve months, I am most proud of my journey back to myself. Due to the pandemic, and the onset of life as an adult, I had lost myself in the circumstances of life. I lost my light. I lost my drive. So I became intentional about taking care of my spirit. I started this journey with therapy. I was able to better understand myself and the reason why I was reacting to this season of my life the way I was. This knowledge assisted me in taking control of my life.
The journey back to myself built up a fight in me I had lost. It ultimately taught me that I was capable of being happy even when things weren’t perfect. This kind of emotional control allowed me to “see it through.” I began my journey as a filmmaker, developed a healthy relationship with creating boundaries, and promised myself I would no longer just go through life, but I would live.
This mental and spiritual growth was extremely rewarding. It set me free from the prison I built for myself. I can’t say that everything is great, but I can say that I have enough hope in me to believe that it can be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shonny_pooh
Image Credits
Desiri Rice, owner of Au Courag Studios Andrew Thomas Clifton FreddyO
