We were lucky to catch up with Erika Billings-Rivera recently and have shared our conversation below.
Erika, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I see the world through an artistic lens first. It’s important for me to recognize the bigger picture of everything I have experienced and accomplished over the years. Everything connects for me. I observe and extract anything that aligns with my greater purpose. I have always and continue to believe that my truth and my purpose is to play a key part in the arts world where I can truly make an impact on the youth. My purpose in words is to “Be strong, Inspire the Young, and Pursue My Passions”. I think this explains how I found my purpose perfectly because this is how I choose to be and live everyday. I have worked in several industries but what remains constant is my ultimate goals to set a good example for the youth in my life, community, and world I live in today. I believe that my instincts and curiosity to try new things has led me to my purpose. A dream role for me has always been one where all my experience and all the things I love could align.
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?
Naturally, I love kids and I love the arts, I have recently crossed paths with a powerhouse woman by the name of Neisha Hernandez who has taken the San Diego Performing Arts scene to a higher level of value and appreciation over the years. This phenomenal woman and I crossed paths during covid and the connection was genuinely impactful. I have navigated a very diverse career path that has taught me everything I know now and one thing that matters most, is the impact one can make on a daily basis and the importance of always being your true self because you never know who is watching. Neisha took the time to recognize me for who I truly am and presented me with an opportunity to be apart of something important in our community, in our society, and an even larger scale-world we live in today. I am now Director of Visuals, Marketing and Advertising for Neisha’s Dance and Music Academy where the mission is to Encourage Kids to Lead Inspired Lives. I am now able to align everything that matters most to me into a role that was made just for me in an environment that changes lives on a daily basis. The more I am able to show proof of my purpose, the greater the impact made on the youth in my community will ripple effect.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Always being myself and doing things in a style that I can confidently say I am proud of. I think it’s important to always make sure I am navigating life as a student, professional and artist because in the realm of business these are the layers that set you apart and advance your growth. Choosing to be kind and doing what is right is also important for me as well as knowing and understanding what it means to switch gears and knowing when it’s time to flip the switch into game time, rest time, and taking it up a notch. Most importantly, always making sure to take good care of YOU-whatever and however that needs to get done but always making it a priority.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I took a chance on an opportunity that aligned with my truth and I am 6 months into this new role. I am also serving as an active member of Las Primeras as the current Helping Hands Committee Chair. Las primeras is an all-volunteer group of women dedicated to a legacy of compassionate giving in San Diego Ca. The timing of everything that is aligning for me in my life has been amazing. I am excited to see where these roles will take me and my ideas. My biggest area of growth is that I am not afraid to dive right in and make the most of the opportunities. I can’t wait to connect with the community more than I already have and truly help make a difference whenever possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.neishas.com/
- Instagram: ebrsandiego , neishasdanceandmusicacademy
- Facebook: Erika Billings Rivera , Neisha’s Dance & Music Academy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-billings-rivera-6006191a/
Image Credits
Image Credits: Neisha’s Dance and Music Academy
