IT WAS SIMPLE: I WANTED TO DO EVERYTHING
From being a mannequin stylist to working with stage directors to then becoming a radio personality to now being an advertising and public relations student, I can only say that there’s still so much left for me to do!
At 17 years old I knew what I wanted to do with my life. It was simple:
I wanted to do everything.
Being part of a college preparatory program in high school, I was give the chance to help coordinate talent and fashion shows. Just so you know, I’m neither the best singer nor the best dancer – but I sure knew where to look for the best performers. I took initiative in finding all the talent I felt was adequate enough to audition; I got everything that I knew would be perfect for the show.
Step Team, check.
Singers, check.
Full-blown dance team, check.
Recruiting, helping with styling, and working with the promotion team was a phenomenal experience – and it was something I took great joy in. Being able to plan and then watch my ideas come to life is one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt. It wasn’t until two years later that the same directors of that talent show contacted me again – not to play a role behind the scenes, but to play a role where the entire show would be controlled by me.
I was the host. The MC skills I learned while being a host on Black Stripe Radio landed me my first hosting gig.
It was amazing.
I have come a long way from being “Habibi” the radio show host. The obstacles I have faced in life only remind me of how fortunate I am. At 21 I had accomplished so many goals – but at the cost of neglecting my family. I was so focused on what gig I had to prep for, what guests I should have on my show, what homework I needed to get done – all while still working part-time.
It wasn’t until my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer that I discovered the true meaning of life.
It wasn’t about how much money I was making, or making sure I practiced and prepped for all my gigs. All those things no longer seemed to matter.
All that mattered from that very moment was my mom.
The reason I am here today and have accomplished all the things I have?
It’s because of my mother.
She kept me humbled and she kept me grounded. She might not have always been the biggest fan of me taking on too many projects all at once, but she always made sure that I would finish whatever I would start.
My mother is a breast cancer survivor and gets stronger and stronger each day. Being able to witness her strength and power not only motivates me to succeed in life – I do all of this mainly for her.
She was given a second chance at life and I know the only thing she would ever want is to watch her only daughter succeed. Not just career-wise, but family and self-wise, too.
My mother wasn’t the only one given a second outlook on life.
I was given one, too.
