We recently connected with Tanzania Akia and have shared our conversation below.

Tanzania, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I would say I’ve known since I was in grade school, maybe around 3rd or 4th grade. I’ve always been artistic, or I guess we would say a creative. It began in art classes, drawing, doing self portraits. Then as I grew older and was exposed to more expressions of art, I expanded. I got involved in theatre, decorating, music, and dancing which eventually lead me to modeling as well. I didn’t have an easy upbringing. I’ve dealt with poverty amongst other things, and honestly being a part of the arts kept me driven to keep going and also motivated to pursue creativity in everyday life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I got in this industry in a funny way actually. So photo shoots have become so popular lately for birthdays in the past few years. I decided I wanted to follow the trend and do a birthday shoot after being inspired by the first Black Panther movie, which had just came out that year in 2018. I decided I wanted to do a tribute to Wakanda. So after finding a designer on Facebook who makes beautiful clothing, she made my outfit for me. After making my outfit she asked me if I would be her model for an upcoming showcase that did not have plus size models participating. I was excited because I wanted to model as a youth but was told at the time I should pursue acting instead, due to my size. So I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and model in the showcase. I LOVED IT ! Not only was the showcase beautiful but the networking was incredible. I meet so many photographers. Models and other designers who embraced me as the person I was and encouraged me to keep going. It’s been almost 5 years and I haven’t stopped pursuing modeling since. Modeling is my favorite space to be in. It’s a space where I can be as creative as I want to be. I’ve done everything from commercial, to runway, editorial, etc. I think what sets me apart from most is that I really give my all, while also staying true to myself. I’m sure I’m not the only one this way, but we are unique. I love what I do and I give everything into the work I do. I show up ready to work, great energy, poised, just happy to be in my element.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I would say the biggest lesson I had to unlearn was that I was not enough, and that I did not deserve the happiness I have today. All of my life I have had people that were just so cruel directly and indirectly because of who I am, my size, my race, everything. In grade school I was teased for my darker complexion, because I was a fat girl, and because I could not afford the best clothing. This caused me to feel less than. I felt most of my childhood and early adult hood that I was not deserving of happiness. I could never be a model, I could never be seen as beautiful or successful. What changed is I finally had to believe in myself. I had to change the people I was around, I had to change my thought process. I had to see the beauty in myself and believe in me. I had to speak up for me and as I seen it for myself, eventually others seen it as well. Trust me, even today I have my days where I have to correct myself because I am hard on myself; not because I think I’m ughh or undeserving. I know I am beautiful and I deserve the world. I go hard on myself because I know what I deserve. I speak this for everyone. Everyone is deserving to reach their goals and to feel amazing and enough.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

You know as cliche as it may sound, the power of social media is incredible. I believe social media definitely has its pros and cons but I say social media is a great way of supporting your fellow creative friends, favorite artists, etc. many feel support is just monetary. It isn’t. If you could support by purchasing art, buying a ticket to a friends show, etc that is amazing, but know there is also power in sharing creatives posts, tagging them in opportunities, speaking on them in a room they aren’t present in, etc. these small doings help so much in spreading the word about creatives.

Contact Info:

• Website: Hey, check out my website, “Tanzania Akia” with this link: https://tanzaniab.wixsite.com/tanzaniaakia
• Instagram: Instagram.com/Tanzania_akiaa

Image Credits
Didier hatungimana