We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nyla Manuel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nyla below.
Nyla, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only person of color or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
As a Black woman, I’ve learned to persist through adversity because of who I was raised by. My mother, father and grandmother each showed me how to carry myself in a society that disregards my worth as an individual. Therefore, I’ve accepted the mission to show up for myself wherever I am. I’ve held onto how important it is to stay the course and make something of myself; essentially making my mark.
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 a dancer and writer from Inglewood, California. I’m currently represented by Bloc Talent Agency in Los Angeles, where I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to dance at the professional level. I’ve worked on commercials and live television shows such as Apple and the 2023 BET Awards. It’s a very humbling and exciting experience to perform onstage for brands and artists I admire.
Meanwhile, my love for storytelling influenced my decision to study English in college. I became a graduate of Long Beach State University’s creative writing program and soon after earned my master’s degree in English, with a Creative Writing emphasis from Loyola Marymount University in 2022. I’ve written short stories in student publications such as 22 West Media and the Daily 49er. I’ve also written and recited original poetry, honoring the Black woman experience at MELUS, an academic conference that I was invited to in New Orleans.
Today, I’m focused on sharing more of my creative and literary art with the world!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
This is fun, so I’ll give you one of each. Honesty, time management, and self knowledge. I take pride in being honest with myself about where I am in life, my potential and how far I can go. I know when to give more and also pull back. I believe transparency and self check-ins are key for any creative. In addition, I practice punctuality everywhere and anywhere I go. Learning the value of time and managing where to spend it has developed my character and given me balance. Most importantly, I’ll always devote my journey to having knowledge of the self. As I grow older, I continue to educate myself on who I am and where I come from, so that no one else can tell me.
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?
I actually have two. I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones is a self help book that I read during my early twenties and it taught me how to find the best version of myself. There are so many impactful nuggets, but one in particular is when Alexis says, “Too often we look outside of ourselves and think ‘that girl’ has it all, but we don’t realize that what we admire in her already exists in us if we were just willing to recognize and exercise it.”
The second is a poetry book called Heart Talk by Cleo Wade and it has been my quickest source of reassurance and accountability. One of my favorite gems comes from the topic on staying in the moment. Cleo says, “We can know the gifts that lie in the present only if we stay in it long enough to receive them.” From that, I’ve learned to be grateful for where I am now. Yes, there are many places I still want to go, goals I want to meet and dreams I want to reach but until I get there I have to constantly remind myself to remain present in the journey because you’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manuel.nyla/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManuelNyla
Image Credits
@lnzyrosephoto @sumz.photos @hugosuav3 @bryanmiraflor
