Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ginger Galloway. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ginger, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I was at a reading for an anthology that my work is in and one of the other readers, a woman who just earned her doctorate degree and had a list of other accolades was next up to read. This woman started with voicing her opinion that she did not feel that she earned a place in this room. She didn’t feel like she belonged. After a tear-jerking reading of a poem she wrote about domestic abuse I walked up to her and with my face scrunched into a tight ball, told her to “Just stop it. You belong here.”
When I was 17 I was a debutante. One of the things that they taught us was to be graceful. When people invite me to events, it’s because of what they know about me– I say thank you. When I take a mic, clear my throat and allow words to leave my body– I say thank you. I don’t make excuses for myself. I do not apologize for shortcomings. No one knows what greatness is in me, not even me. I trust that I will shine and I do it with grace.
All that to say, sometimes I look at my accomplishments and that little bit of doubt inside of me grows up and her voice gets super loud and I have to shut her down. Wherever I am, I belong. God doesn’t take me where I don’t belong. I know that what I do in those spaces is up to me. And, I am good at what I do. I know it. I constantly remind myself that I know it. It’s not a degree or certificate that qualifies me, it’s the gifts and talents that are inherent to who I am. It’s the time and effort I have put into being good at what I do.
It’s ironic to me when I start to underestimate myself I see other people doing things and I think to myself <i>I can do that! </i>Of course I can. I don’t know what it is that makes doubt, that’s what imposter syndrome is, right? I don’t know what it is that makes doubt so loud. My internal cheerleader can be much louder and I feed her so that she can be big and strong. I self-affirm. I self-acknowledge. That’s what beats down imposter syndrome. I’m not an imposter…I belong here!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
It’s not easy to share in a few sentences what I do. On my day-job I am a substitute elementary school teacher. But I have learned to do everything that brings me joy and today that includes writing poetry, plays and short stories, illustrating books, painting murals, sewing dolls, designing and creating art with wood, graphic design, knitting and crocheting.
I’ve been writing and illustrating for many years and have published several books and have had work included in several anthologies all available on Amazon. I have an Etsy store (etsy.com/shop/loviebeans) where I sell my dolls and yard decorations. And over the years I have painted murals for individuals and companies throughout Southern California.
Before the pandemic, I hosted the African American Book Festival Inland Empire in Perris and Moreno Valley, CA. I am looking forward to hosting another such event to spotlight writers of color in all genre of literary arts in 2025-26. With these events I hope to encourage literacy and love for the literary arts and inspire people, young and old, to really take a look at writing as a viable career option.
What I am most proud of is a new organization that I co-founded, Wild Seed Poetry and Arts Collective (wildseedpac.org). The Wild Seed PAC is inspired by the fierce work of dynamic Black women in poetry, literary, visual and performing arts Wild Seed Poetry & Arts Collective was born. Building a safe space to explore and challenge each other and the scope of our craft to create new and innovative works. We are a collective of women who support and encourage each other. We are cultivating wild seeds who must, as is their destiny, break free and grow. Wild Seed Poetry & Arts Collective is founded by and entirely led by Black women.
In the summer of 2024 we hosted our first Wild Seed Writing Retreat with funding through the California Arts Council and with the support of Jamii Publishing and Inladia Institute. That single event culminated with an anthology, “Saltwater” (Jamii Publishing, 2024) and an exhibit at the Riverside Art Museum in Riverside, Ca.
I am looking forward to providing other opportunities and venues for Black poets and writers to engage, hone and share their craft and connecting with like-minded artists and writers who want to collab.
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 advice for people early in their journey:
1. Don’t let what other people think about you stop you.
2. If you love it, do it.
3. You can make the rules for your own life.
4. Be fearless and try everything that you want to do.
5. Live regret free.
I spent a lot of my youth trying to be and fulfill the dreams that other people had for me. I worried about being a disappointment or not following rules. It wasn’t until I was in my 40s that I accepted that I don’t have to do anything I don’t love. Life is a gift and I should enjoy it. I chose to have joy in my life.
I had to learn to live a fearless life. If I want to do something, I go for it. I don’t let fear keep me from experiencing the world. In the end, I don’t want to regret what I never did. Everything is possible… go for it!
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I think that it’s better to go all in on your strengths. I also think that it’s important to keep growing and developing who you are. Tyler Perry said to be successful we should focus on one thing. He said that, became a success, and then starting making some lateral moves. Oprah Winfrey did the same. Unfortunately, not many people will see the kind of success that Tyler Perry has realized to be an actor, director, award winning screenwriter and businessman or Oprah as an actor, reporter, talk show host, business owner, etc. I can surely, however, acknowledge the individual and unique successes in MY life and make some lateral choices when I am comfortable. I think it’s okay to take the advice of those who have gone before you but I think it is equally important to stand on what makes you who you are. I try not to measure my life against the lives of others. There’s so much less stress that way.
In the last 20 years of my life I wanted to start re-learning Spanish. I wanted to learn to play the piano. I wanted to start learning ASL. I wanted to paint with watercolors. So I did. And none of those activities took away what makes me successful. I would even go as far to say that they have enhanced who I am and what I am capable of. Talk about a way to defeat imposter syndrome. Being a better version of who you thought your best was is it!
Contact Info:
- Website: wildseedpac.org
- Other: Etsy.com/shop/loviebeans Loviebeans.com
Image Credits
Ginger Galloway Jasmine Galloway
