Meet Ember Skeyez

We recently connected with Ember Skeyez and have shared our conversation below.

Ember , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilience… it is one of those traits that is a combination of knowing your breaking point and also knowing that you have untapped potential. For me, I often confuse resilience for being strong or tough but really resilience is understanding the strength in vulnerability and adapting to circumstances.

As a girl from Pine Bluff, AR (Arkansas) with a quirky and bubbly personality I never quite “fit in” with the environment around me. I would get picked on, bullied, and even jumped several times throughout my childhood and some of my adulthood because I was thought to be weird and different. I was subjected to humiliation and violence throughout my life but little did I know that these experiences would have a significant impact not only on my social development but my mental health.

Navigating through life not knowing when to speak up or act out made me self-conscious and insecure. Over time i leaned to pay attention to the world around me and with insight from elders and mentors I transitioned from self-conscious to self-aware. I realized that yes, I am different, but I have to be different to make a difference.

As someone who was often misunderstood, I wanted to be able to effectively communicate and express myself in a manner that any and everyone could understand. I took the lessons from negative experiences of pain, violence and shame, and blended them with my wit, quirkiness, and personality, and talent and I found my voice. I voice speaks the languages of Creativity, Understanding, and Assistance.

My resilience comes from me seeing the beauty in the duality of the cause/effect and good/bad in all aspects of life. Anytime that I suffer I also benefit. I look at life as energy and for every action there is an equal opposite reaction and that gives balance to life. So with that balance I find peace.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Heye Geyez (Hi guys)

I am Ember Skeyez (M-ber Skyz). I’m an entertainer, entrepreneur and humanitarian originally from Pine Bluff, AR currently residing in Houston, TX. I began my journey in entertainment in pursuit of a singing career. That venture never quite worked out for me but it did allow me to meet some very influential people such as the late Dave Aron. Dave would always tell me to not doubt myself and trust that I can make my dreams into reality while still being myself. I always knew that I was talented, but I did not, and quite honestly still don’t, know where to go for opportunities so I made them myself. I write, produce, and direct everything from music to movies and I can also sing, act, and I have just enough rhythm to call myself a dancer. So I channel my energy and abilities into creating platforms for others to showcase their talents.

Above being creative my deepest drive in life is helping others. The Creatives community is a niche group of Haves and Have Nots where we like being different but also have a need to be accepted. I studied psychology and became and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) so that I many effective assist others through and array of situations.

All of these skill sets led me to found Skeyez N’ Starz which is a 501(c)(3) organization that uses media and performance arts for development and mental health awareness. Under Skeyez N’ Stars I am able to host events such as The Annual Skeyez N’ Starz Showcase which allows local performers to showcase how they use their art for their mental well-being while providing a professional concert experience to them as well as the audience. I can also head classes, workshops, and mental health events that are driven with the purpose of improving the well being of self and community.

The reasoning behind the name Ember Skeyez is to directly define my purpose and personality. Ember describes that fiery passion that fuels my drive and efforts in all that I do. The notable spelling of Skeyez puts the “EYE” in the “SKY” meaning I can accomplish more than what the eye can see. So Ember Skeyez is more than a business name. It’s who I am. ​

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?

Looking back, I believe that the three most important traits to have are knowing how and when to listen, being self-aware, and to never ever let anyone take you happy away from you.

Despite what anyone says no one has ever made it by themselves. They may not have liked the help that they had but you do don’t get anywhere alone because you’re not alone. Wherever you are going there was someone there. Maybe not in the same capacity but they have knowledge that you don’t have. This is why it is why it is important to listen. The advice may not be specific or in some cases even directed towards you but knowing how to pick out the gems that you can apply to your betterment is paramount for success.

Being self-aware is knowing your strengths, boundaries, and abilities. Some of us, I used to be one of them, are so strong willed that we get in our own way. It often comes in the form of pride. Its ok to not know things and it is ok to ask for help. You’ll also know what sitations to be and not to be involved in.

The most important trait in my opinion is to NEVER let any one or any thing take your happy. That meants every aspect of what you do should feed into your joy. Happiness comes from within and if you live and act accordingly youll have an unlimited supply. The problem is that there are phases we go through and people we meet who challenge the fundamental basis of being happy. It comes in the forms of stress from things we can not control, people who covet what makes you happy and a host of things that bring negativity your way. You have to learn to protect your happy.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

Though I have a great grasp on my goals and missions, I would say that my biggest challenge is turning my passions into profit. My peers call me a Hippie because I do what “feels right” for my businesses. From a peaceful standpoint I am thriving however business wise I cannot turn peace and vibes into a multimillion-dollar corporation without proper planning. I have been meeting regularly with mentors and professionals to plan and strategize for growth, but I am always open to suggestions and feedback .

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