Please describe yourself. (Age, major, what you want to do with your degree).

I am a 21-year-old senior at Le Moyne College majoring in communications with a concentration in journalism. I hope to one day become an editor at a magazine like TeenVogue, Glamour, The Atlantic, or The New Yorker, while also pursuing a career as a young adult novelist.

What is your passion(s) and when did you discover your passion?

I never used to like reading when I was younger. I would always skim through books during school and do my best to avoid participating in class discussions. But in the fourth grade my teacher cornered me and started asking all sorts of questions about the book we were reading. Of course, I had no answers for her. So she told me to choose a corner of the room for the rest of reading time and actually read the book. Later she told me I had two more days to finish it, and then we would try our discussion again. I can't remember what the book was called or who wrote it, but I just remember the feeling of getting lost in the story and falling in love with a world so vastly different from mine. I started reading everything after that and from that love of reading stemmed an interest in writing. I wanted my words to create worlds that people could immerse themselves in.

Who are you inspired by?

I am inspired by so many people––too many people: John Green, Maya Angelou, Elaine Welteroth, The Obamas.... But on a more personal, direct level I am most inspired by my family. My parents and my sister inspire me every day. They're so loving, encouraging, intelligent, and accomplished, and I just want to make them proud. When it comes to my writing I think I am most inspired by my grandmother, Velma Pollard. She's a well-known Jamaican author and every time I pick up one of her books, I am awestruck by her talent and the fact that her blood runs through me. We share a special bond––I think of her as my writing guru–– and if I could do half of what she has done in her career as a writer, I would be so happy.

Is there anything about you (gender, ethnicity, age, etc.) that has inspired and or hindered in pursuit of your passion?

This might be odd or surprising, but I've never felt like being a black woman has interfered with me chasing my dreams of becoming a writer. It's probably because I surrounded myself with strong black female voices in Maya Angelou, Gloria Naylor, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, the list goes on. They let me know it was possible. I also think being a black woman just gives me a different perspective, I approach things differently, I see the world differently. If anything, it makes me a stronger writer.

What types of subjects are you most excited to write about?

I've always been a curious person who asks a lot of questions, so I think it's natural for me to be intrigued by a variety of topics. When I look at my writing it generally seems to center around issues of identity, race, culture, and love. And I would have to say those are the subjects I am most excited to write about because those are the ones I connect with the most. When I write about these things I don't have to reach because I struggle with them every day.

How have you changed from your freshmen year to your senior year?

Wow, this question required a lot of self-reflection! These last three and a half years have brought me a lot more self-confidence and self-awareness, but the most noticeable change I have seen is how in love I am with my blackness. I grew up in a predominantly white town, went to a predominantly white school district, and outside of being with my family I never fully felt comfortable in my skin. My words, my clothes, my hair were all chosen and styled very carefully because I was constantly living between being labelled as the Oreo or too black. I felt suffocated, and while Le Moyne very much resembles my primary education environment, I have somehow learned to let myself just be me. Instead of letting my environment overcome me, I have overcome it. I wear my glasses, I wear my triangle hair, I speak my truth, and I am unconcerned with the false expectations people have of me because of how I look or what society has led them to believe about certain people.

Many people may be afraid to say what you say and others may feel uncomfortable. (Certain pieces published in the newspaper about race, gender, etc.) Why do you feel like its important to say these things despite their reaction?

For me, there is no point to writing if it does not incite thought. I write with the intention of making people think and making them question. My articles for the college newspaper are centered around race, gender, and identity because they are so woven into the fabric of how we function and how we connect as people––whether we like it or not, whether we want to admit it or not. As a writer, but more importantly as a person, I can't ignore these topics because they are so significant and I believe everyone should care about them. I also write about these things because I have a platform at Le Moyne that a lot of students don't have and it gives me the opportunity to shed light on issues that really impact students, particularly minority students who are not properly represented on campus. It took me a while to find my voice and I know how hard it can be to feel heard at Le Moyne, so if I can write an article that a student sees herself/himself represented in and feels like I have articulated their same thoughts/concerns then I have done something valuable.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

If I allow myself to really believe, in five years I will be living in New York City and working as a senior editor at a national magazine. I'll be constantly interviewing people and writing and reading...to me that is the dream.

As a black woman, is representation important in your field of work? If so, why?

Representation is extremely important to me in the media industry, especially within magazines because I hold them so dearly to my heart. As a black writer my main concern is feeling like I have to restrict myself to black magazines like Essence, Ebony, or Jet because there's more representation there. While I love those magazines and think very highly of them, there should be just as many opportunities for women of color at other magazines. I think diversity and representation also helps magazines because people with different backgrounds bring different thoughts, new perspectives, and they can help broaden their audience. It's a win-win for everyone.

If you could have dinner with 3 people, who would they be?

The three living people would have to be President Obama, First Lady Michelle, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. I love them all and I just know that dinner conversation would be incredible. Now, the three dead people would be Maya Angelou, Bob Marley, and my grandpa. I think this one is a more interesting mix.

What are some things you've had to overcome within yourself to pursue your passions?

I had to overcome being scared and always playing it safe. Sometimes I get caught up in what is comfortable, but journalism is about extending yourself and taking risks. There's this famous quote by Neale Donald Walsh where he says, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone," and I think in many ways that can apply to writing. I think my writing becomes stronger and better when I explore outside of what is comfortable and familiar.

Describe one of your greatest accomplishments.

Landing a summer internship with Parents magazine through the American Society of Magazine Editors [ASME] was definitely one of my greatest accomplishments. I was given the opportunity to spend the summer of 2016 exploring New York City and working at a national magazine, something that was a goal of mine since high school. It really helped me to believe even more that becoming a writer/editor was a possibility. I was networking with people from publications like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Cosmo, and Redbook, and started some really great friendships with other interns. That summer was a one of the best experiences of my life.

What advice do you have for people who are too afraid to follow their dreams?

When people would tell me my dreams of becoming a writer were unrealistic or far off I would always think to myself, "Where would the world be if no one believed in or pursued their dreams?" Maybe man would have never walked on the moon or maybe we wouldn't have a black president, I don't know. Just go after what you want and be willing to work hard for it. There's a possibility you might fail, but there's also a possibility you will succeed. I fully believe that the energy you put out into the world will come back to you, so if you put it out into the universe that you will become what you dream of for yourself (i.e. doctor, actor, teacher, politician, etc.) then it'll happen. Write it down, and you'll see.

Thanks again for thinking of me Lorenda! Here are the links to my blog and my portfolio. I also attached some pictures that I think will work.

Lada: I met Amari during my time at LMC. I always admired her work and amazing ideas and enjoy looking forward to her work. I also appreciated her humor, drive and how versatile she was in many of the things that she did on campus. She is an inspiration and I am so glad she decided to do this interview. Thank you Amari!