Meet Evannah V

We were lucky to catch up with Evannah V recently and have shared our conversation below.

Evannah , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic is a blend of legacy, culture, and purpose. I come from a Belizean-American family that has always moved between worlds—literally. My mom, sister, and I navigated life between Belize and Chicago, dealing with immigration, culture shifts, and the balancing act of building something meaningful across borders. That experience taught me resilience early on. It wasn’t easy, but it gave me a fire that continues to push me today.

My mother is a powerhouse—working high-level positions at companies like BP and Verizon while raising a family, managing our business, and always showing us how to lead. My father taught us the grind—traveling to places like Mexico and Guatemala, where we learned the hustle firsthand. My sister and I performed together everywhere—from Gallery 37, DJ International events, and Six Flags to stages in Belize, Guatemala, and the U.S.—building our confidence and catalog one show at a time.

We even helped run our family shop, Disorderly Conduct on Vernon Street, and worked with platforms like BBN Belize and 247HH, filming our own content and learning the ins and outs of media, music, and business. We’ve recorded at SoundScape and Classick Studios, written songs together, and are now developing our own indie label while also working on solo projects.

I’m currently studying Cinematography in the Cinema and Science program at Columbia College Chicago with a minor in Music Business, combining visuals and sound in everything I do. Growing up, my cousins and I would sing, dance, and perform together—we were raised in music, from family parties to fine arts schools like Franklin Fine Arts Center and Lincoln Park High School. Art has always been our way of life.

Throughout my journey, I’ve been mentored by Grammy members, surrounded by amazing creatives, and influenced by artists who taught me that richness doesn’t come from money—it comes from memories, moments, and the stories we carry. I’m here to blend my two worlds—Belize and Chicago—into one powerful voice, one vision. That’s why I work so hard. Because this is more than a career—this is my legacy, my joy, and my way of giving back.

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?

I’m Evannah Vernon, known as Evannah V—a singer-songwriter, cinematographer, and creative entrepreneur proudly representing both Belize and the U.S. I’m currently in a rebranding phase, preparing for my pre-debut as a solo artist. While I haven’t officially released music yet, I’m deep in the studio building my sound and visuals from the ground up.

My style is fusion—a vibrant mix of Caribbean, dance, pop, hip-hop, Afrobeat, Latin, and world music. It’s energetic, bold, and rooted in my Belizean-American identity. I want people to feel joy, movement, and empowerment when they experience my work. Everything I do—whether it’s songwriting, performing, content creation, or filmmaking—is about blending worlds and telling stories that haven’t been told before.

Outside of music, I’m also a cinematography student at Columbia College Chicago, with a minor in Music Business. I film my own content, study the business side of the industry, and collaborate with like-minded creatives who believe in owning their art. My sister, Evanne Vernon, known as Micah or King Micah, and I are also starting our own indie label to support and uplift new voices like ours.

I’ve performed across the U.S., Belize, Mexico, and Guatemala, and I’ve worked with brands like Ram Trucks, Cetaphil, and YSL. I’m also proud to be a GRAMMY NEXT mentee, where I’m learning from industry leaders and advocating for artists’ rights.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Resilience:
Coming from a family that balanced life between Belize and the U.S., I’ve faced a lot of challenges, including dealing with immigration and navigating different environments. These experiences taught me how to bounce back from setbacks and stay focused on my goals. Life hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned that resilience is key. The ability to overcome obstacles and turn challenges into opportunities is something I carry with me every day.

Advice: For those just starting out, don’t be afraid to fail or face challenges. They’re a part of the process. The key is to learn from them and keep moving forward. Stay grounded in your purpose and remember that each setback is an opportunity to grow.

Creativity:
I’ve always been surrounded by creativity—whether it was my family singing, dancing, and performing together, or collaborating with my sister to make music and content. Creativity is at the heart of everything I do, from songwriting to filmmaking. I’ve always pushed myself to blend different genres, cultures, and artistic disciplines to create something unique.

Advice: Don’t overthink it—creativity is meant to be fun! Embrace your imperfections and let your ideas flow naturally. Experiment with different styles and mediums, and don’t limit yourself to one thing. The more you create, the clearer your artistic voice will become.

Adaptability:
Throughout my life, I’ve had to be flexible, whether it was adjusting to a rebrand, navigating a new creative discipline, or shifting my approach to stay current with the industry. Adaptability has been crucial in my journey, especially in an ever-changing industry like music and entertainment. You have to be open to change and willing to evolve if you want to keep moving forward.

Advice: Stay adaptable and open to new experiences. Embrace change—it’s part of the journey. Don’t be afraid to pivot, and remember that failure is a stepping stone to success. Be willing to learn from every opportunity, and always keep evolving.

Additional Insights:

Know your business and network. Build meaningful relationships and never be afraid to ask for advice or help from others.

Always be a student. No matter how far you go, there’s always more to learn. Stay humble and keep growing.

Have fun! It’s okay to enjoy the process, and embracing imperfections can lead to the best moments in your work.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One of the most impactful nuggets of wisdom from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” This reminds me that perseverance, belief in yourself, and aligning with your true purpose can lead to extraordinary things, even when the path isn’t always clear.

Along with that, Bob Marley’s music has always resonated with me. His belief in the richness of life, staying true to who you are, and pursuing your passion with purpose and freedom, has been a huge influence on me. My grandpa also instilled a key piece of advice: “Get on the horse and ride it,” meaning take charge of your journey and steer your own path. He also said, “Take the bull by the horns,” encouraging me to face challenges head-on without hesitation.

Another mentor, Wanz, taught me to “steer my own boat,” which is all about taking responsibility for your own success and moving forward with confidence. My mentor, Ron from 247HH, always gave me books and knowledge, guiding me to expand my horizons and stay open to learning. It’s been amazing to be surrounded by mentors and people who have inspired me, and I’ve learned that being a student of life is just as important as the work itself.

At the end of the day, it’s about making these lessons your own, getting inspired by those around you, but also taking the time to learn from yourself. It’s great to be impacted by others, but also take the time to inspire yourself and trust your own journey.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo shoot of Evannah V on a gate in Belize City, Belize. Photographer: Evannah V and Team. Owner of photo: Evannah V.

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