Meet Diamondnia Mack

 

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

Hi Diamondnia , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from a combination of my upbringing and a deep, innate desire to achieve something extraordinary. My mom modeled resilience and grit with such grace and style for my sisters and I. She taught us to face our challenges head-on with courage, determination, and honesty. Because of her and the wisdom that comes from life experiences, I’ve learned not to let setbacks define me or dictate my path. I’ve realized that if I stop at every bump in the road, I’ll never get to where I’m going, and my life’s purpose is far too big to be dwarfed by fear, insecurity, or the belief that I am incapable or somehow unworthy. My dreams also motivate me to keep going and to remain steadfast. So, despite everything difficult, painful, or disappointing, I make the conscious decision every day to keep moving forward. As I get older, I’ve also come to realize that it’s not just about wanting to keep pushing; there are plenty of days when I don’t feel like getting out of bed, and the comforts of cravings and habit are far more appealing than what discipline asks of us. However, I understand that I must remain resilient and focused, because otherwise, I will never discover what it feels like to reach the mountaintop of my life’s goals.
I believe that by embracing resilience I will continue to unlock the extraordinary potential and fulfillment that awaits me on, and at the summit of my life’s journey.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I, like many people, have a variety of interests that can often turn into 30 day hobbies and passion projects. My work spans a broad range of areas, from research and advocacy, to artistry and entrepreneurship. While these interests may not always connect, each provide their own sense of fulfillment and exciting challenge. Central to my work is research and advocacy. With a background in economics and data science, I use the skills from these disciplines to conduct research on environmental justice, climate policy and their impact on Black, Brown and Indigenous women through my environmental justice initiative The Brown Moon Project. A gratifying blend of entrepreneurship, creativity and research, the Brown Moon Project affords me the opportunity to uplift the work of climate scientists and advocates in the space, while sharing the untold stories of how climate change impacts vulnerable groups, particularly women of color. I believe that this work requires all of our collective attention, and it brings me immense joy and gratification to hold space for people to learn more about the issue and to partner in action. By the end of 2024, we’ll be releasing new, thought-provoking, and educational interviews, and officially establishing The Brown Moon Project as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

In addition to my work with The Brown Moon Project, I channel my creativity into another passion: entrepreneurship. I consider myself an artist. My medium of choice: concrete. My product: candles. When I’m not working, or conducting research, I love spending time in my backyard, hand-molding concrete into gorgeous candle vessels for my candle business, Aromas Fragrance Co. I love facilitating candle making classes, where I teach people the art and careful science of creating a candle. We have monthly candle making workshops on the calendar through Spring 2025. Additionally we are producing a Master Class Series for aspiring candle-preneurs.

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?

Looking back, I’d say that humility, resilience, and persistence have been the most transformative qualities on my journey. I have learned that what you don’t know is often more important than what you do know. Remaining humble in the face of all that I have yet to learn has made it much easier to overcome the inevitable setbacks that come with pursuing anything truly worthwhile and meaningful.

For those just starting their journey, my advice is to embrace a sense of wonder and intrigue about what you have yet to learn, rather than shying away from challenges. Where I once resisted the sting of mistakes, I now approach them with openness, recognizing that they are a natural and essential part of growth. Mistakes are not just setbacks but stepping stones toward becoming more complete and evolving continuously. So, run toward your mistakes and learn from them—they are invaluable to your development.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Overwhelm is a common feeling that many of us experience, especially when pursuing a goal that we’ve invested so much of our time, energy, and sense of self-worth into. The first piece of advice I’d give is to detach your self-worth from the outcome and instead find value and confidence in the process. The process is where you truly meet and develop yourself. Whether you’re tired or motivated, uninspired or productive, who you are is found in the nooks and crannies of the work, intention, and effort required to accomplish anything. So, when you’re feeling overwhelmed by a big goal, step back and appreciate the effort you’re putting in. Celebrate the courage it takes to embark on a new journey, the growth that comes from learning new skills, and the dedication to doing your best every step of the way. This way, when you finally reach the end, you can be proud of the outcome with a deepened sense of appreciation—not only for the product of the work but for the work itself.

The next strategy I’d recommend is to create a to-do list for each project and break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Physically crossing off tasks as you go can provide a sense of accomplishment that may help you stay inspired, even if you’re feeling a bit fatigued.

Finally, allow yourself to rest. Overwhelm and burnout can stifle creativity and motivation, which are the life force of our work. While we may feel guilty about not constantly being active, giving ourselves permission to rest without guilt or shame is essential for sustaining the creative force needed to produce high quality work. So, take genuine and restorative breaks so that you may return to your work with a refreshed and clear mind.

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