We were lucky to catch up with Gwen Laster recently and have shared our conversation below.
Gwen, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My confidence and self esteem developed from being educated by progressive and forward thinking Black Jazz educators in Detroit public schools and my upbringing in a house hold where my mother played Blues, Jazz and Motown, endlessly on the turntable. These components inspired my interest in becoming a musician with an individual voice and purpose. Through these experiences, I developed my confidence and self esteem. As a dark skinned girl growing up in the Black community with discrimination against the black community and Colorism within the Black community, I learned early on how the value of making top grades and staying eager and disciplined to develop myself as a musician would prepare me in navigating my dreams towards an independent life of success.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I create, collaborate and perform music with communities of artists that I feel a deep connection with. I’m most excited when I’m in the process of creating with artists who are generous, open and sensitive.
I relocated from Detroit to NY to expand my creative urge and learn from collaborations in various genres and disciplines.
These days I’m most focused on broadening my skills as a creative writer for multi disciplinary projects that include spoken word to music, singer songwriter, music to movement, music to visuals and art, fiddle music, folk opera and combinations in and around these interests.
More about me and my work can be viewed at http://www.gwenlaster.net/
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Find my own voice of creativity.
2. To learn time management skills allowing me to deep dive into my personal reflective space.
3. Dismiss thoughts on competitiveness.
There is only one “You” out there. So no one can compete with what “You” bring to the world.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Artist Way- Julie Cameron. This developed my sense of what being “me” is all about through journaling.
A Return to Love- Marianne Williamson.- Gave me the confidence to relocate to NYC.
The Creative Act- Rick Rubin. Countless ways to approach your creative forces and manifest fresh ideas fearlessly.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.gwenlaster.net/
- Instagram: @lastergwen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwen.laster.16
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-laster-b6b4271
- Twitter: https://x.com/home
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzdwPz28PkTHnvUpt1H0VTw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gwenlaster/freefolk-is-my-black-still-beautiful-excerpt-comp-glaster/s-PY5CuIlMV5e?si=c77b080571474e25a46795e5bd61883f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Image Credits
Adrian Tilmon
Antonia Imperoli
Joseph Rosenberg
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
