Meet Nikki Brake-Sillá

 

We were lucky to catch up with Nikki Brake-Sillá recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I am the woman I am today because of the matriarchs who raised me. I grew up being loved on by my Nana (great-grandma), my grandma, and my momma. These women taught me to love myself first, told me I always belonged in any room I entered, and are why I have never questioned my worth. Two are my ancestors, but their presence covers me whenever I need their strength. They gave me a foundation to snap back to when I forget myself.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Nikki Brake-Sillá is a Black playwright/filmmaker with an invisible disability who tried to check out of the hospital with her infant, A.M.A. By day, she is a project manager in a Hematology/Oncology lab and merges science and art to expose people to inherent bias in the medical system. She weaves stories that give urgency to folx who birth, (AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE), COVID frontline workers, (SILOS), and exposes the challenges of uterine transplant research trials, (REWOMBED). She has been commissioned by EST/Sloan, Revolution Shakespeare, Elevate Theatre, and Black Music City. But what gives her the most joy is giving someone their likeness on screen and stage. ginifilms.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order 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 three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that impacted my journey the most were my refusal to give up, my ability to find quiet moments, and the knowledge that comparison is the thief of joy. I don’t think I have a right to give advice, but I will say, “Be your best champion.” Love yourself BIG, and you will attract that. Loving yourself best will make it easier to see the ‘no’s’ as blessings. Surround yourself with people who build you up during the losses and your wins. Anything that is yours will not pass you by.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

“The God of Small Things,” by Arundhati Roy has played a crucial role in my development as an artist and later as a parent. “Things can change in a day.” I often think about this tenet as it forces me to remember BE present. Relish all the moments, good or bad, because life is fleeting and “Anything can happen to anyone, and it is best to be prepared.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Reginald Cunningham https://www.bepureblack.com/ took the headshot.
I took the photo of the journals, and Giselle Marie Media https://www.gisellemarie.media/ designed the logos.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made