We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamila Small. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamila below.
Jamila, we’re thrilled to have you share 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?
One thing that is continuously developed is resilience. Resilience, in my opinion, is based on faith. Faith is defined differently by many people. For me, having faith means having confidence in God and his provision. This appears to be relying on him at all times. Maintaining the same posture despite variations in the season and environment. I strengthen my resilience by praying. Giving all to Jesus and glorifying Him in all I do. I declare that I have a calling on my life that he outlined for me the moment I was conceived, and that I must stay in that lane. Thus, even in difficult times, I will continue to exalt his name, bow down, and give thanks to God.
Philippians 1:7
“Be confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Jamila Small, an 18-year-old motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate for different communities. In addition to having experience in the beauty sector, I am an activist, and at the age of sixteen, I owned and ran a salon. A large portion of my work focuses on prison reform, motivated by my own loved one’s incarceration.
Every day, I strive to be a better version of myself while still appreciating each day I am fortunate enough to have. I can be found expanding my glutes at the gym, on the front lines of a protest, in a high school classroom, or performing givebacks in the community.
Through my Instagram social media platform, I constantly spread the message that you can become more than what you have been exposed to through my content.
You can find me on Instagram at @milatheceo.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities people need to develop to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment, and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which skills or qualities would you focus on?
In my journey, faith, discipline, and a visionary mindset have been pivotal. Centering everything on faith has led to fruitful bonds, businesses, etc. Discipline has been vital to maintaining blessings and reinforces the idea that faith without work is dead.
Often we ask God for something, and we believe our prayer was left unanswered, but the truth is that when requesting something from God, we also need to reflect on ourselves and ask ourselves, “Am I making room in my life for God to move and repost me as I requested him to do so?” This is a question that you want to reflect on in the long term. Renewal involves reflecting on prayers and making room for God to move. Trusting in His constant listening, surrender both good and bad. Align your vision with His, clearing your schedule for new opportunities, and moving swiftly when called.
Constantly seek renewal, ensuring alignment with God’s will. These qualities keep me in the lane God has made, emphasizing the power of staying grounded with a visionary mindset. Past encounters guide, not define, and we view them as wisdom gained. Remember, God’s timing differs from yours—stay grounded to align with His will.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to expose me to the things of this world. It was my parents and my village, including aunts, uncles, God’s parents, family friends, Grandpa, etc.
For me, my village goes beyond blood relatives; it’s those who saw my mother as a single mother and decided to sew a seed into us. I am beyond thankful for them.
Special flowers were given to my mother, who has never backed down even when things got challenging, along with my grandfather, who has been there from the start; beside him was his wife. They have shown me the importance of obedience in every circumstance.
My father, Perry, stepped up and showed me what true leadership in a household looks like. His posture has inspired me to take leadership in my community, whether it’s through hosting givebacks or speaking up for prison reform.
My dad, whom I have taken a lot of care of, has taught me the importance of grace and love. The renewal of our relationship has shown me that there is power and understanding in grace and love, teaching me to extend it in all areas of my life.
To my godparents, Andrea and Stephen, who have both been there from the moment my mother and I touched down in America again, thank you for all you do and have done. These very people have inspired me to be that person for someone else.
Thank you, Auntie Chanel and Auntie Nathy, for opening your doors to myself and my mother with no hesitation and providing us with more than just shelter.
So many other people have sewn a seed during my journey of becoming, and for that, I show nothing but gratitude. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for overextending yourself.
These very people protected me and showered me with love, but they still made me aware of how the world we live in lacked so much of that very love. That instilled morals and principles in me that cannot be gained simply from a lesson in a classroom. They taught me the power of using the world as my classroom. In this, I was able to reflect on what I wanted to apply in my own life and what I would like to learn from.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milatheceo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilasmall/
