I Owe My Professional Career Success (Up To This Point) To Raven Symoné
What Raven-Symoné (indirectly) taught me about developing into and loving myself authentically
Raven-Symoné was the blueprint for Black girls everywhere.
I can’t exactly remember when I was first exposed to her but I just always remember her being integrated into my life. With the recent news about her releasing new music and clearing the air with former “Cheetah Girl” Kiely Williams, I simply had to reflect upon how she was my personal hero and guru. I used her catchphrases, frequently sung all the songs she put out and watched and read everything she had her name attached to, most popularly The Cheetah Girls. I knew all their songs, all of their routines, lingo and wanted to dress like them. I even met the author of the OG Cheetah Girl books a couple of times. Besides, I was ALWAYS a Galleria and no one could ever make me feel bad about being type-A.🤷🏾♀️
As a young girl from a small inner-city with a bad reputation and limited success stories, I clung to any hope that I could make it out and be as successful and recognized for my worldly contributions. Similar to Raven Baxter from “That’s So Raven.” A budding fashion designer who navigates her family, her psychic ability and school, I learned the importance of balance between work and the personal along with life lessons about speaking out against racial injustice, body positivity, and even financial literacy. (I won't even begin to touch on her influence on my personal style choices....)
When I was 8 years old, I found out that Raven would be performing at the local Six Flags, an amusement park, for a back to school concert. THIS was the moment I had been waiting for. A chance to see my blueprint in real life. I spent so much time drafting a letter that would perfectly encapsulate what she meant to me as a Black girl fully aware of my identity and an admirer of her work. (I know, pretty deep for an 8-year-old. Let’s just say that I’m like that. 😎) Let me say…. this was a BOMB concert. I got my whole life! The music consisted of all my Disney Channel bops, I was eating my favorite junk food, I felt seen by fellow Raven fans as we compared the signs we made and stories about what she meant to us. I was making so many friends and doing one of the many things I loved at that age: talking about my role model. I met one girl who said that her dad was a manager at the hotel Raven was staying at and I was like “oh word??” It was EVERYTHING I dreamed it would be.
The plotting had begun and Operation: Meet Raven was in motion. If you know ANYTHING about the schemes Raven Baxter got herself into...then you know I was prepared for anything.
Then the rain came.
The crowd dispersed in an effort to escape the downpour. On the way to the car, I told my parents that I had to deliver my letter and was adamant that I do so, despite their belief that it would be impossible for me to get it to her. I never put up a fight or threw tantrums about anything but this moment was worth. After driving to every local hotel in the vicinity, thanks to the tip I got from my fellow concert goer, my poor parents were ready to give up. At the last location, my perseverance paid off. There she was, Pizzaria Uno’s bag in hand, walking into the hotel with her mom and brother. I hopped out of the car with my mom and tow and had 15 seconds to plan my approach. I had so much conviction that my mom let me lead the way. I asked Raven’s mom if I could speak with her and I had the most perfect encounter from there.
This lesson invigorated my young spirit so much that I knew then that I was fully capable of anything I put my mind too, even a crazy experience such as that. (I promise I am not a stalker!) It was then that I learned (indirectly) the value of networking and trusting your intuition. This experience has propelled me forward toward many of the opportunities I have been blessed with: speaking on various panels about issues important to me, job opportunities and just meeting like-minded people who I can be sure of are in my corner as support systems.
As I got older, I found other subjects and hobbies that I fell in love with and dedicated myself to and began to distance myself from this fandom. I became more heavily involved in causes related to the Black community and Raven became more… controversial and engaged in other things such as attending art school and living in her truth in an authentic fashion. However, learning from her public life and the iconic characters she chose to play, I also learned to stay true to my morals and never compromise my beliefs for ephemeral comfortability.
Lastly, I learned the power and beauty of reinvention. There is a subtle art to being able to shift with the times while still being humble and on top of your game. From countless television franchises that she started in since the age of 2 or 3, multiple albums, movies and more (for real though, check the dossier, she is STACKED with accomplishments), Raven has found a way to become a staple entertainer in across a variance of platforms that many have tried to emulate and have not been as successful. Especially as a Black woman with a lil' mo' extra curve (if you know what I mean), I always felt comfortable in the skin I was through seeing the confidence Raven exuded. And couldn't NO ONE tell me any different!👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾
All this to say, as a soon to be graduate in these uncertain times we are now living in, I chose to reflect on my past and say thank you, Raven Symoné, for allowing this Black girl to be seen, forge her own path and future and for giving me a wonderful childhood. It is because of her that I understand the importance of inclusivity and the need for diverse storytelling to be normalized and abundant so that other Black children and people all over the world can feel seen as well.
So days away from my 22nd Birthday, I can forever own up to anything I attach my name to with hands on my hips, tall posture and a hearty "YUP that's me" with my whole chest! (See what I did there?)
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