We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Areial Thomas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Areial below.

Areial , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?

Consciousness is the root of change.

I was born in the City with Soul, Jackson, Mississippi. I moved to The Roller Coaster Capital of the World shortly after my birth and stayed there until the age of 10– due to my mom becoming extremely ill with lung cancer. Growing up, I was around the same types of people and I saw the same types of things: drug addicts, church-goers, saints, and ain’t’s. We were accustomed to repeating the same cycles, making the same excuses, and seeing the same results. We all needed healing in some fashion.

During my 10th or 11th grade year at Jim Hill High School, I got a full scholarship to the McMullan Young Writer’s Workshop on the campus of Millsaps College. I went in thinking that my story didn’t matter and that nothing good could come from Mississippi. I left understanding the richness of the state and that every part of MY story mattered. I decided to attend Millsaps College for my undergraduate journey.

While at Millsaps, I gained the privilege to share spaces and lead with people from all around the world. I am often reminded of our leadership retreat during COVID-19. We got on the topic of racism and people began to share their experiences. I specifically remember one of our older white administrators sharing her experience with consciousness. She told us that she had not grown up in the most racially accepting environment and that it took a place like Millsaps (and other places) to broaden her perspective. The stories of people like me change the hearts of people like her. I learned that sometimes people don’t want to be racist or rude but that is all that they know how to be. Stories shift perspective. They bring about consciousness.

Storytelling is consciousness of both individual and communal experiences. Consciousness is why The Areial View exists.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

The Areial View helps dreamers process their life stories through therapeutic art, discover their purpose, and build authentic brands.

Growing up, I had to find ways to make money since my mother and father passed away when I was so young. My first business was actually as a hairstylist I would braid people’s hair in my community to make money. As I grew older and gained a greater sense of my calling, I started to lean more into expressive arts and coaching.

Much of my work stems from the quest to bridge the gap between Christ and Culture & establish long-lasting communities of creativity, diversity, leadership and healing.

Some of The Areial View’s signature offers include: The Art of Storytelling Workshop, The Bold Intensive, Whole Girl Summer, and therapeutic art/life story coaching.

I tell people all the time that the arts saved my life. I’ve always been active in whatever church I was a member of; working hands-on with youth and young adult arts ministries. It is such a privilege to see youth and young adults engage in active storytelling through artistic mediums. I saw healing take place in those spaces and wanted to offer these same opportunities to individuals outside of the church.

That is when Kingdom Verbum Arts Academy was born. We focus our trainings in liturgical dance, spoken word, and the Verbum Technique; serving ages 6-25.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As it relates to managing a team, I know there were times that I could have done a better job at making sure every team member saw their vision in mine. Working with CAPABLE people means nothing if they do not believe what you believe or have the ability to see how the organizational vision benefits their personal one. Make people feel included. Make people feel loved. Make people feel valued. Be open to change. The most effective leaders are those who heal before and while they build.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Honestly, everyday interactions. Social media is great– please take advantage of it. However, it is important not to miss those people who are right in front of you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theareialview.com
• Instagram: @theareialview, @kingdomverbum
• Facebook: theareialview , Kingdom Verbum Arts Group

Image Credits
IG: @izzy_bee_photography, @sleepyoptics