Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dre Hill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dre, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Recently, I’ve come to the realization that imposter syndrome is an amalgam of anxiety surrounding showing up, how we show up, and how we are received when we show up. That, in combination with feelings of inadequacy when we show, how we show up, and how we perceive we will be received when we show up. For me, overcoming imposter syndrome was the realization that you can have the anxiety and still do the thing. You can have the anxiety and still write the book, produce that song, direct that film, etc. On top of that, you can have the anxiety, do the thing, and it actually be as good as you think, want, and might wish it to be. Overcoming imposter syndrome is recognizing and acknowledging what you feel, but not letting it overwhelm you or shun you into inactivity and complacency. For me, I really had to adapt a bit of a “just do it” mentality, in spite of everything that I might have been feeling. But I think it’s important to remember that we’re often in rooms, spaces, and doing things that are well within our capabilities. The imposter syndrome ends up being a reflection and projection that we internalize from other people subliminally undermining us.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am self identified as an artist, storyteller, and writer. On social media, I have the tagline “author of your favorite poetry collection that you haven’t read yet”. I am a multidisciplinary artist. I write, I draw, I paint, I photograph, and I podcast. I am the author of four poetry books, including Crossroads and (No) I am (not) okay. I am also the creator of the Pushing the Pen poetry (and creative general use) prompt book. As a creative, my joy for creating comes from the connectivity of community. There’s a special power when you can make something and it can transcend space, and even time, to make others feel seen and heard. Both in the sense of how my work speaks, but also in my visibility as a young, black creativity.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the first thing is being open. Adaptable. You have to be malleable and receptive to making change, to pivoting, to shifting when things don’t work or solutions are found elsewhere. I think too, adaptability comes with being receptive to learning. To making mistakes many times over. To try, fail, and try again with new eyes and perspective. Secondly, I’d say staying true to who you are. Stay true to your vision, your voice, and your integrity. You don’t want to look back on your legacy with regret because you let your authentic representation get steam rolled for the sake of palatability, popularity, or capital. Even if it’s harder. Even if it’s alienating. Stay true to who you are as a creative/business/individual. The reward is worth it. Lastly, foster community. Find friends, find colleagues and coworkers, find mentors and even mentees. Community holds us up, makes us better and stronger, and provides us with opportunity for growth and accountability. They celebrate your wins with you. They hold space for you during your losses. Community is such a powerful thing, something we all need.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
To put it simply, they believe in me. They support me. They “brag” about me to coworkers, friends, and family. They very visibly and verbally show up for me. They acknowledge me. When there are things to celebrate, we celebrate. When there is news to share, they want to hear it and they want to hear it first. They are a constant and genuine positive force and presence in my journey, even when they don’t understand everything happening, or have any pertinent advice to give me as I carve out my own space and lane. I can never thank them enough for that. I can try, but I don’t know if I’ll ever really be able to adequately do that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drehillart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drehillart/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drehillart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-andre-hill/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drehillart?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnWZ0BU-ufFUX2LBl0TONw
Image Credits
Dre Hill
