We were lucky to catch up with Cent’annii recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cent’annii, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Confidence is crucial; believing in myself and my abilities positively influences how others perceive me. Preparation is also key, as being well-informed boosts confidence in others and ensures I’m ready to contribute meaningfully to any project or task. Authenticity matters – embracing my uniqueness and perspective can offer fresh insights to others; and while I’ll always be a team player, I’ll never be a “yes” man. Ask questions, and challenge the status quo. Effective communication, and resilience in the face of challenges, while seeking allies for support are also mandatory. In addition, I’ve found that educating others about my background and experiences fosters an understanding of my character and sense of purpose for even being in the room in the first place. By embracing these strategies, I have navigated such situations with effectiveness and success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a model, photographer, and student. While modeling I’ve appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Elle, Vogue, and Amica. I photograph under my business Brick Wall Entertainment and prioritize fashion events and portraits. As a student, last year I graduated with my certification in Fashion Image Merchandising and will complete my degree in Spring 2025. While being a student in an educational sense I am also an enthusiastic student of the fashion industry as a whole. What’s most interesting about the industry is that it’s always growing, and evolving. Being at the forefront of these changes inspires me to improve myself continuously, whether learning a new piece of software in Adobe or messing with the settings on a camera to get a different look. I’ve also recently launched a YouTube channel that focuses on fashion history/current events called, “Fashion News Daily”. Right now I’m finding my audience in the form of riddles, so take a look, and test your industry knowledge! With that being said these types of skill sets have helped me escape a mundane lifestyle to where I can enjoy what I do, and look forward to overcoming the next challenge because those challenges only serve to make me a better man.
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?
Perseverance, humility, and awareness are the three qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey. Maintaining perseverance leads to other qualities such as discipline. Utilizing these qualities contributes to a laser focus in which I see no scenario where I’m unsuccessful in whatever I want or need to accomplish. In addition to that; what I’ve also learned is that humility without awareness equals a fool. This figure of speech means, never be so humble that you’re unaware of your true value whether monetary or self-respect. These qualities have also helped me to “read the room” and detect energies in conversation. Use these qualities to navigate whether you’re in the company of people who actually mean to mutually benefit from the relationship or If you need to separate yourself from an environment, person, entity, or corporation.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been hands down professional development. Following my certification in Fashion Image Merchandising, I’ve had the opportunity to intern with Gucci and Nordstrom. Receiving training and instruction from these over 100-year-old industry giants opened my eyes to the flaws and holes in my “game” where I needed to tighten up. While constructing my model and photography portfolios I’ve had the opportunity to receive guidance on composition and structure from Gucci’s very own Cameron Williams who’d also been a part of the same internship program as me. I’m grateful for everyone I’ve worked alongside thus far and wish them continued success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.centannii.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centanniii/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-passmore-726a5715a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FSHNNWSDLY
Image Credits
D.Desirable, Lamont Desal, Weston Mosburg
