Simone Higginbotham shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Simone, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I am being called to step fully into my influence and leadership without shrinking. For so long, I played it safe — staying behind the scenes, supporting others, and silencing parts of myself out of fear of judgment or failure. Now, I feel called to use my voice more boldly, to share my story openly, and to build platforms that create opportunities for others.
What once intimidated me — speaking up, taking up space, and being seen — is now the very thing I know I’m meant to do. It’s about moving from fear into faith, and from hesitation into action, because the work I’m called to do isn’t just about me, it’s about the people and communities that will be impacted.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Simone O. Higginbotham, and I wear many hats as a writer, creative strategist, and community builder. I am the founder of Rebirth Magazine and the Weekend Girl Lifestyle platform, both of which were created to celebrate, amplify, and inspire voices that often go unheard. Through my work, I focus on storytelling that uplifts culture, entrepreneurship, and self-care, while also creating spaces — from magazines to festivals — where people can see themselves reflected and celebrated.
What makes my brand unique is that it’s not just about publishing or events; it’s about building community and legacy. I have a passion for creating opportunities that connect people, highlight talent, and bring resources to those who need them most. Right now, I’m working on expanding the reach of Rebirth Magazine, preparing for the Black Book & Film Festival in 2026, and developing new lifestyle experiences through Weekend Girl that encourage women to prioritize themselves unapologetically.
At the heart of everything I do is the belief that our stories matter. When we tell them boldly and create platforms for others to do the same, we change not only the narrative but the future.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that I had to play small to be accepted — that blending in, staying quiet, and not drawing too much attention was the safest way to move through life. I thought my voice wasn’t strong enough or important enough to matter.
Now, I know that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve learned that my voice, my creativity, and my perspective are exactly what set me apart — and that they deserve to be heard. Instead of shrinking, I embrace standing fully in who I am and using my gifts to create space for others to shine too.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life has been learning to navigate brokenness in relationships—whether in family, love, or friendship. Those experiences left me questioning my worth and carrying pain I didn’t always have the words to express. Another wound was grieving while still trying to show up strong for everyone else, often putting my own healing on hold.
I’ve healed, and continue to heal, by giving myself permission to feel, forgive, and release. Therapy, prayer, journaling, and creating platforms like Rebirth Magazine and Weekend Girl have been part of my healing journey, because they allow me to turn pain into purpose and give others a voice, too. Healing, for me, hasn’t been about erasing the wounds—it’s been about embracing them as part of my story and proof of my resilience.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is a part of the real me, but not the whole picture. What people see — the writer, the entrepreneur, the community builder — is very real, but it’s also the polished side I choose to share. The truth is, behind the scenes I’m still figuring things out, still growing, still healing, and still learning how to balance being strong with being vulnerable.
I’ve learned that authenticity doesn’t mean putting every detail of my life on display — it means being honest in what I do choose to share. So yes, the public Simone is real, but she’s also layered. The more I grow, the closer those two versions become to being one and the same.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For a long time, I was doing what I thought I was supposed to do — following paths that felt safe, that made sense to others, that looked good on paper. But deep down, I always knew there was more for me.
Now, I can say with confidence that I am doing what I was born to do. Creating platforms, telling stories, building spaces for women and communities to be seen — that’s not something anyone told me to do, it’s something that flows naturally from who I am. It’s my purpose. And while the journey hasn’t been easy, it feels right, because it’s aligned with my calling and not someone else’s expectations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebirthmagazine.com
- Instagram: rebirth_magazine_br the_week_end_girl_
- Linkedin: Simone O Higginbotham Rebirth Magazine
- Facebook: Simone O Higginbotham Rebirth Magazine BR I am The Weekend Girl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebirthMagazineBR
Image Credits
Maestro Productions
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