Meet Paris Alexandra

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paris Alexandra. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paris below.

Paris, 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 immigrant 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?

I realize while I may be the only one in the room who looks like me, there are thousands of Black women who came before me that made my work possible. To understand that my work in wellness is apart of a larger historical context of liberation allows me to understand that my singular story and experience is connected to our larger collective experiences.

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?

Paris Alexandra is a Poet, Writer, & Founder of The Brooklyn Wellness. A multi-cultural, multi-generational, multi-bodied wellness club centering on thriving through creativity and being well. Paris co-founded the first Black woman owned body positive yoga studio in the US. In 2022, she earned her MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts at Goddard College where she studied creative writing and social entrepreneurship through the lens of Black womanism, body diversity, and holistic wellness. To expand her impact in Dec of 2025 Paris will complete her MBA with a focus in Arts and Impact.
Paris’ passion for community, youth, and creative wellness is at the center of her purpose. Over 20 years ago, her journey began facilitating poetry & self-care workshops in shelters, detention centers, schools, and community centers. In the early 2000’s she spent time on a policy council in D.C. advocating for young people who were impacted by homelessness. As a teen who overcame youth homelessness, it was her mission to find her voice and transform her life through yoga, creativity, and community.
For over the past decade Paris has created artistic spaces for people to grow in community. Her first series titled “Poets Lounge” housed at A Black owned business in the heart of Bed-Stuy centered on bringing together some of the most dynamic artists in New York City. In 2017 & 2018 Paris was the co-recipient for the Brooklyn Arts Council grant to show the co-produced “The Blue Nile.”
Her training includes trauma informed care, Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga therapy for Advanced Teacher of Yoga Therapy, The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, The Peace Institute’s Mediation Apprenticeship, & The University of California, Berkeley Mindful Meditation certification.
Her work as a Creative Entrepreneur within the wellness space has been recognized by companies such as NIKE, Self Magazine, Well & Good, CNN, and more.
As an artist, Paris’ passion for bold storytelling and creative imagery is an underline thread throughout her work. Her published wellness writing is featured in Self Magazine, Well & Good, and MSN. Her poem “A Thousand Black Women” was featured in her Nike global yoga campaign. As a poet and writer, she looks forward to creating stories and meditations that inspire and heal. As a Business owner and creative, she looks forward to creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and represented.

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?

My biggest support was being able to see myself in others through storytelling, music, and poetry. This supported me thinking critically and understanding my relationship to the world. Read books and continue to challenge your relationship to the world. Connect with other who share a like minded vision to create the world you want to see. Sit under the elders, reach out to mentors, stay creative, connected to your faith, journal, reflect, write, keep reading and reflecting then take that time to get quiet, harness your energy and go within.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Audrey Lourdes “The transformation of silence into language and action” changed my life. An excerpt from her book in Sister Outsider that spoke the truth not allowing our voices to be silenced.

I am always open to collaborate with people who want to create spaces that reflect community, equity, and collective economics. If that’s you, happy to chat!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@GabrielaGabriela
@photosbycaro
@camilaleguizamon

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