We recently connected with Imani Nuñez and have shared our conversation below.
Imani, 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?
I wish I could say that choosing to be resilient came easy for me all the time. It doesn’t. When you are in moments that test you, choosing to be hopeful over feeling defeated can seem like a heavy lift. But what gives me strength is knowing that this purposeful journey is not done alone; my faith, my family, and my history tell me so. I am a product of resiliency. It is in my DNA. This strength makes it easier for me to raise my gaze from the challenges that might try to steal my energy and I remember that my life is here on purpose and I am part of a bigger picture.
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 am currently freelancing as an Art Director/Multimedia Designer. I am passionate about collaborating with others to work on honest and expressive experiences to shed light on unsuspecting insights, forgotten histories, and untold stories. With truthful communication we can get a better understanding of each other, the world, and the role we play in it.
I also have been spending more time on passion projects like the work I am doing with my partner LaToya Heron. We have created Rebirth in Progress LLC in order to provide products and services, in order to support people in moments of transition and emerge renewed.
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?
Be a Student – I think as ever evolving beings in a constantly changing world we should lean into the idea of growing and learning. Embracing the spirit of curiosity allows us to discover new things and deepen our understanding of the world, our passions and ourselves.
Show Your Grit – There will always be challenges, this will never change but having grit and perseverance will give you a way through. So make sure that if you “fall 9 times, [you] get up 10.”
Create Your Own Blueprint – Be inspired, be informed, and be open to adapt but do look to others on how to arrive at your vision. I believe that every person is unique for a reason and our journeys to success are never identical.
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?
Reading Bell Hooks’ ‘All about Love: New Versions’ has been profoundly reaffirming and enlightening for me. Hooks delves deep into the concept of love, urging us to reconsider its definition as it is influenced by culture, oppressive systems, and traditions. This impacted my relationship with love, as I was forced to articulate, reframe and further decolonize my understanding of it. She explained love in a way that felt true and familiar to me, as she describes love as a verb – leading to healing, justice, and empowerment. This is the “type” of love and connection that I aim for my work to embody.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imaninunez.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imani-nu%C3%B1ez/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuBrFQDsBVUYaV3PU3oaOw
- Other: https://rebirthinprogress.com/
Image Credits
Imani Nuñez and Essence Ventures
