We were lucky to catch up with Ayah Adventurer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ayah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is to encourage other women of color to venture out and explore the world! Travel is something I am passionate about. I have experienced its transformative power, and how it can change one’s outlook and aid in personal development. But travel has long been seen as something inaccessible for minorities, reserved only for the white and wealthy.

Many people also hold inaccurate beliefs regarding Muslim women and travel. We are commonly stereotyped as these timid, weak individuals whose lives are limited and devoid of any fun. The media has depicted the hijab (headscarf) as a symbol of oppression, leading many to believe that wearing one can somehow prevent a woman from experiencing all the world has to offer.

All of this is very far from the truth. Travel is for everyone! So, I began sharing my adventures through writing, photography, and video to break down these stereotypes and inspire women like me to travel this big, beautiful world.

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

I have always loved writing and knew I wanted to be a writer since I was a child. It’s my favorite way to express myself. I earned my journalism degree and worked for several newspapers and magazines until I decided to pivot and write books. Five best-sellers later, I returned to my roots writing for publications as a freelancer, which gives me much more control over my schedule. I currently write for Ebony Magazine and Travel Noire. I dabbled in photography years ago, but had to do a lot of relearning lately. Video is a fairly new medium for me. I’m continuously learning as I go along!

What I’m most proud of is being able to combine the things I love and do work that I both enjoy and find meaningful. This is something I always promote to my children, so I’m happy I can be an example of that for them and show them that it is possible.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I always hoped to write books one day, but with my focus in college being journalism, that is the direction my career initially took. I was covering city politics, local events, some music stuff, and there wasn’t much room for creativity. When I became pregnant with my first child, I knew I wanted to stay home with him so that I could be the one raising him and be present for all his firsts. That was my opportunity to finally turn to more creative writing and start working on some books. I knew it would likely take some time before it became profitable, so I also began editing for other authors and publishers to make sure I had an income. During this time, I realized just how much I enjoyed working for myself from the comfort of my home and choosing my own work hours.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to showcase life from my unique perspective. Some people will be able to relate and feel seen and understood. Others, from completely different walks of life, may gain insight or learn something new. Or, they might also relate and realize just how much we actually have in common. I enjoy having outlets through which I can express what I’m thinking, feeling, and experiencing, and I enjoy being able to connect with others through my work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ayahadventurer
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B007ZTEP5U

Image Credits
All images are my own (either taken using a tripod or by a family member.)