Keep Ya Head Up Interview: Téa, American Essential Worker

We recently caught up with Téa, an essential worker, to find out what her experience has been like working in a supermarket during the COVID-19 pandemic and how she is keeping her head up through dance and more.

TBYT: What has your experience been like as an essential worker during this time?

Téa: It’s definitely been interesting to say the least. I’ve seen both the good and the bad versions of how everyone has reacted to everything going on. It’s definitely a learning experience for sure, it was hard, but in the end, it made me a stronger person. One thing I had to learn right away was to take everyone’s negative reactions towards myself and my other coworkers with a grain of salt. Everyone is going through something, and it’s best to not take comments too personal, otherwise it’ll get to you.

TBYT: As an essential worker, what is one thing that you wish people would keep in mind when they interact with you and your coworkers?

Téa: One thing that I wish customers would understand is that we, just like them, are humans. For some reason, especially now, people have been more ignorant than usual, and I understand their frustration. But we’re frustrated too, and we have to push through everything with a smile on our face. We’ve been working harder than ever just to keep everything going. I just wish they would treat us like normal people and not use us as a way to take out their frustration.

TBYT: How are keeping your head up in the face of this pandemic? 

Téa: Three things have helped me greatly in the midst of all of the chaos. Dancing, meditating, and staying away from social media more than I usually would. All three have helped me slow down time and really appreciate the little things. Dance has always been an outlet for me, but it’s helped me now more than it ever has. Meditation sounds cliché, I know, but my version of it isn’t just breathing in and out. It’s stretching, yoga, cooking, or listening to my favorite songs with no distractions while I sit outside. It’s quite peaceful. Staying away from social media has honestly been a blessing. There is so much negativity everywhere you look, no matter the platform. So some days I’ll ditch it all together, and some days I’ll check up on a few things. But once I start to feel my anxiety creeping back, I’ll ditch it again. When I’m not on social media, I’m in a much better mind space and I’m very productive. I highly reccommend ditching social media for a bit if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. It does wonders.

TBYT Interview: Inspired Parent Summit

We recently had the opportunity to be interviewed as a part of the Inspired Parent Summit for Single Parents: Guidance for Unstoppable Moms & Dads Raising Unstoppable, Devoted Kids. The summit is a virtual event that continues until the end of July and features audio interviews from parenting experts. If you are interested in hearing our advice as we discuss dealing with cyberbullying, the importance of positive self-esteem, using the internet for good, and more, be sure to sign up at the link below. Our interview is out now, and there are many more to come!

Sign up for free HERE!

 

Keep Ya Head Up Campaign: Triyo Fitness

We spoke with Ahmad, Khalil, and Malik Jones, the triplets behind Triyo Fitness. They shared how they got started, advice for those being cyberbullied, and the calculated strategy behind their TikTok success. Also, be sure to check out their social media for some fantastic resources and perspectives on how to support the black community during our fight for racial justice!

Triyo Fitness:

Website: https://triyofitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriyoFitness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triyofitness/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr4-nK0wV6dScZHo7hR1qgQ

Think Before You Type:
Nonprofit Website: https://www.thinkbeforeyoutypeinc.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/powerofwords_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkbeforeyoutype
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkBeforeYouType

Thanks for watching!

 

Keep Ya Head Up: David Duane Interview

David Duane is a recording artist, the media and radio personality behind On Air with David Duane (My Fierce Wings Radio), and the founder and CEO of Urban Fierce Group, a publicity and marketing company. We spoke with him about his personal experience with cyberbullying, balancing his multi-faceted career, and his advice for young people who want to get started in the entertainment industry. Thanks so much for watching!

David Duane:
DavidDuane.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDuaneOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidduane/?hl=en
Think Before You Type:
Nonprofit Website: https://www.thinkbeforeyoutypeinc.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/powerofwords_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkbeforeyoutype
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkBeforeYouType

Stay safe and Keep Ya Head Up!

Keep Ya Head Up Update

When we created the Keep Ya Head Up campaign, we had no idea just how much those words would come to mean in light of all that is going on in our world today, from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to the continued fight against police brutality and systemic racism that has led to protests that have spread around the world. As black women, one being a physician and the other a medical student, we have the unique experience of seeing firsthand some of the impacts that these events have had on both the black community and the medical community, as well as on friends and family across the globe.

With that in mind, it seems as if the goals of the Keep Ya Head Up campaign are even more important now than they were when we first began. The campaign was created with three main goals in mind: encouraging individuals to keep their heads up, helping to support those around us as we navigate these tough times, and reminding ourselves of the importance of staying aware of what is going on around us. Fulfilling each of these goals may look different for each one of us, and we would love to hear what you are doing to keep your head up in these difficult times. If you or someone you know is struggling to keep your head up right now, know that we are here, and we also have a link to mental health resources

Stay well and don’t forget to Keep Ya Head Up!

 

Keep Ya Head Up: Rhys Lewis Interview

TBYT: You just released a new single called “The Sun Will Rise”. Congratulations! Can you tell us a bit about it?

Rhys: Thank you! Myself and Aidan, who co-wrote the song with me, were a few weeks into isolation feeling quite anxious about the future. All the conversations I was having with friends and family were full of uncertainty, questions that no-one had answers to. So when we were sat down at the piano one afternoon we talked about the idea of writing a hymn for the hopeless, a song that could remind us all that in spite of everything that’s going on the world will still keep turning, life will go on, and that there will be an end to these dark times.

TBYT: Your song “Better Than Today” has been one of our favorite motivational songs. What inspired you to write it?

Rhys: That song came out of the frustration I was feeling for the political turmoil that the Brexit vote and Trump’s election had created back in 2016. They were two very divisive moments in politics and people on both sides of those debates were very quick to point blame and vilify each other. We might not agree on how to do it or what it looks like, but we all agree we should be working towards a better, brighter future. So I guess I wrote the song to dampen my cynicism with the state of the world and remind myself that, whatever our differences, whatever we choose to believe, whoever we choose to vote for, we generally all live with the same good intentions in common and are all hoping for a better tomorrow.

TBYT: People seem to be using social media to connect with each other now more than ever, but unfortunately, not all of those interactions are positive. If you had the chance to speak to someone who has been cyberbullied, what would you say to encourage them?

Rhys: It’s can be a really toxic place. I have a young cousin who spends lots of time on social media and can often get down about certain aspects of it, whether that’s a hurtful comment or that none of her friends liked her. I would say that people who are hurtful are often unhappy in themselves, so if someone is bullying you just try to ignore it and see their behaviour, not as a strength they have over you, but a weakness you could sympathise with.

TBYT: What are you doing to keep your head up (stay positive, encouraged, or inspired) in the midst of this pandemic?

Rhys: I’m trying to get lots of exercise in. I’ve really enjoyed running more whilst being in lockdown. Keeping up some kind of routine has been key to feeling mentally strong and upbeat. On the days I don’t go for a run or shower or have breakfast, which considering there’s not much to get up for at the minute is very easy to do, I feel so much less positive and productive. Sticking to those things, reading, playing board games, and cooking a nice meal in the evenings has been my way of staying sane. And writing music, of course, I feel very lucky to have that as an outlet and escape at the minute.

Keep Ya Head Up Interview: Dana Vaughns

We met Dana Vaughns back in 2013 when he was a member of the boyband, IM5. Since then, he played a role in Mindy Kaling’s hit new Netflix show Never Have I Ever, started a solo music career, performed with Kanye at Coachella, participated in the Nipsey Hussle tribute at the 62nd Grammy Awards, and much more! It was great to chat with him as a part of the Keep Ya Head Up Campaign.

Stay safe, and stay healthy 🙂

Dana Vaughns:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkNIO3BiU9X-6kvcopMTEUw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danavaughns/?hl=en

Think Before You Type:
Nonprofit Website: https://www.thinkbeforeyoutypeinc.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/powerofwords_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkbeforeyoutype
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkBeforeYouType

Keep Ya Head Up Interview: Canyon City

We were so excited to have the opportunity to catch up with Canyon City’s Paul Johnson again as a part of the Keep Ya Head Up Campaign. During the interview, we spoke with him about his new single “Catch Fire,” how he has been staying positive, and much more!

Canyon City:

https://www.canyoncitymusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canyoncitymusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/canyoncitymusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanyonCityMusic/

Think Before You Type:

Nonprofit Website: https://www.thinkbeforeyoutypeinc.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/powerofwords_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkbeforeyoutype
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkBeforeYouType

Thanks for watching! Stay safe, and stay healthy! 🙂

Keep Ya Head Up Interview: Momin, Pakistani Youth Activist

We caught up with Momin, a youth activist in Pakistan, to find out about opportunities he has found to serve others as his country faces the COVID-19 pandemic.

Think Before You Type (TBYT): Can you tell us about the work you are doing with Cradle Welfare Organization? How did you get involved?

Momin: I heard about CWO (Cradle Welfare Organization) from a friend of mine. I still remember my first visit at their boy’s school campus. They have another campus for girls as well. When I visited the school, I saw kids from underprivileged families studying, playing, and participating. That very moment made me realize we need to get involved in initiatives like these for the development of our community and society. I have been a youth activist for a while now. I have done awareness programs through different campaigns, workshops, and my vlogs. I have done food drives before, but this time with CWO it was different. Their mission to strive for bringing positive change in people’s lives and their enthusiasm got me.

I applied there as a teacher and began to get involved in their other projects like the ration drive. This whole time I have been and still am amazed by the wonderful people, like Saqeeb us Salam (our school principal), who run this organization and are going above and beyond to provide education, food, and medicine to [those in need]. I have seen our Founder, Mufti Asim, carrying ration bags on his back. A high profile person like him being so down to earth gave me the motivation and hope for a better future for our country. I know our country is a developing country, and it has a lot of problems that we need to solve. But above all these things we have great people who are willing to work for these causes, and I am just one of them.

TBYT: How can people help CWO accomplish its mission?

Momin: CWO is an NGO that is purely run on donations and funds. We have generous sponsors such as EBM and Kuwait Consulate who support our mission. [H]owever, considering the ongoing crisis of COVID-19, we need more donations to help people in need here. With this pandemic, our country has been hit really hard. People have been laid off from jobs. Most businesses are shutting, which is making it harder for people to fulfill their basic needs, and the situation [for] the lower class is the worst.

I remember the other day when I went to distribute rations along with my team we visited a family with 16 family members who were living in one room. When we gave rations to their family, we could hear kids screaming with joy and excitement inside who didn’t have enough food for one proper meal in a day.

We at CWO nowadays are distributing Rations (Monthly Groceries) and doing an Iftar drive to make sure people don’t go to sleep hungry and they can open their fast with at least something. So far we have distributed 2,500 – 3,000 ration bags to families in need, but we know this is not enough. There are many more out there who need our help and support considering the ongoing crisis. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last, and we need to help and prepare for it. We are running out of funds, and [through social media] we are requesting [that] people donate to us generously so we can help more people. At the end of every day, I go to bed with mixed feelings, feeling happy because we were able to help some people, but at the same time feeling not fully satisfied because I know there are still a lot more people that need our help.

TBYT: What are you doing to keep your head up in the face of this pandemic?

Momin: The thing that is getting me going these days is the love and support from friends, family, and our sponsors. The happiness I see in the eyes of those who were looking for hope for their survival and we were able to help them gives me the courage that is beyond everything. My words might fail to describe the satisfaction and happiness I experience through this cause. Everything we see during this time is proof in the times of darkness; we can still find love, joy, and beauty. If we look and we can’t find it, then we can be it. I know it is going to get worse before it gets better, but I have hope. We will get through this together. Stay safe, healthy, and sane. Be the light for someone else. Remember to breathe.

This too shall pass.

It is my humble request to everyone reading this blog to please help us to sustain our mission. Please help us by spreading the word and by sending donations our way.

More information on how you can help CWO: www.cradlewelfare.org

Keep Ya Head Up: Ewan J Phillips Interview

As a part of our Keep Ya Head Up Campaign, we spoke with singer-songwriter Ewan J Phillips about his new single Strangers in the Night (ft. Carrie Hope Fletcher), his advice for those who are being cyberbullied, and much more!

About the Keep Ya Head Up Campaign: In the midst of everything that is going on in the world, we wanted to start a new, positive campaign that helps support the online community and encourages us all to look out for one another.

Ewan J Phillips:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnrqOjz80x2–UMfq2w36ZA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EwanJPhillips/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewanjphillips/?hl=en

Think Before You Type:
Nonprofit Website: https://www.thinkbeforeyoutypeinc.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/powerofwords_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkbeforeyoutype
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkBeforeYouType