Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maliaka Moore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maliaka, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

At The Family Griot (TFG), it is our mission to assist and educate fellow storytellers in curating authentic identities for their brands. We are here to modernize the legacy of traditional West-African storytellers, or Griots. We aim to be a North Star for entrepreneurs, creatives, educators, and all who’ve been relegated to the margins of society and are seeking pathways to convey their oral histories. It is our deepest desire to provide meaningful support that promotes advocacy, impact, and leaves a legacy that outlives the present generation.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Maliaka Kenyetta (she/her/hers) is a 26-year-old multi-media creative from Atlanta, Georgia. She’s started as an aspiring musical theatre actress and attended college in Manhattan, New York. Quickly she decided it was time to tell stories of her own instead of trying to meet the unrealistic standards in the industry she wanted to be a part of. She is an artist, vocalist, wellness enthusiast, and servant leader using her voice to advocate for underserved and marginalized demographics. As Co-Founder, Identity Curator, and chief storyteller, she works with brands/entrepreneurs to help them in discovering and fine-tuning brand identity and marketing personality. Maliaka is committed to affecting change and promoting equity throughout creative experiences!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The customer/client is NOT always right; I had to learn that the hard way. When owning or operating a business you need to know that YOU are the person with expertise in the space. Know that your client is coming to you because they need the services you’re providing. It is of upmost importance to listen and be aware of their desired outcome, but the final decisions are yours to make. Trust your gut and move forward with intention.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After about a year in business, I acknowledged that the workload was not equal amongst my team members. We were struggling to keep our heads above water while balancing working our full time jobs and our increasing project proposals. I unexpectedly needed to pivot from a family business, and staff of 4, to essentially being a one woman show. I was devastated that things weren’t happening according to my plan. I’d quite literally spent months dreaming of a future for our brand that seemed to be crashing down very suddenly. That transition was anything but easy, for both my business and personally. Somehow, I had to keep going! I now know that things happen for a reason and according to a much bigger plan. I learned that it is necessary to take time for adjustments. Give yourself grace and space to reflect and acknowledge missteps, miscommunications, and ways to be better. It will make you stronger and your work more meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @maliakakenyetta
• Other: TikTok: @maliakakenyettamoore

Image Credits
Photographer- Rickland Young