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

Brit, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents always immersed my brother and I in the arts. My father has a massive CD collection and I honestly believe he has one of the best ears for music. My mother encouraged me to do all things art. Her acceptance of my expression gave me the confidence to pursue a career in the arts.

Their favorite pastimes were going to the movies and collecting art. In my early childhood, we saw every important movie opening possible. When we lived in Kew Gardens, which is in Queens, New York, we would walk to the theatre. Then, when we moved to Hempstead, Long Island, we were regulars at Green Acres and Roosevelt Field Malls theatre. When they took me to see Kill Bill and The Lord of the Rings, it sparked something inside of me. I knew that I wanted to be a filmmaker. I decided to pursue my first degree in film.

I grew up seeing my parents collect black art. They have three pieces from Kadar Nelson and even passed one down to me. My mother would always tell me stories about my great great grandfather who painted for the white house. It turns out that both him and his father were both listed as professional painters (artists) on the D.C. census. I had no idea I would pick up Art Curating, but it was destined. It is the thing I do easiest with the least amount of effort. I love it.

Brit, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been an artist all my life. I didn’t gain the true confidence to really go after my dreams independently until 2020. Prior to that, I went to school for Film and Video, I worked as a photojournalist in college, I worked with Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Howling Wolf Productions, and Fortitude International briefly. After having my son, I began teaching through Teach for America and those three years were transformative. I gained a level of confidence that propelled me to where I am now.

I am currently most proud of how stable my life has become as an artist and mother. It had been rocky. The first years of entrepreneurship you have to focus on the essentials in life, for me that meant getting rid of my material life: the nice car, the apartment, not buying new clothes or shoes.

My essentials are making sure my son is fed, that I have gas, and a comfortable place to sleep. I moved back home and have received so much support from my family. I am forever grateful. I have never been closer to my family and in return, my art has never been better. I get to focus on what really matters. I understand that this is a privilege and I do not take it for granted.

As an art curator, I want to make sure I am still an educator. As a photographer, my primary focus is asking God to use me as a vessel. I ask myself, what will my art mean in 100 years? That is very important to me. All the other creative aspects of my life, I am returning to the basics and building an extremely strong foundation. The soul is not in a rush is my new favorite quote.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Leaving my career as an educator was a difficult transition. It seemed like I disappointed a lot of people. The hardest part for me was feeling like I failed my students. I left because the system has to be torn down in order to truly give students and the youth what they need. I had to accept that I had made an impact on over 100 students and that was a privilege that I should actually leave feeling full and not regretful.

My advice for anyone in a career transition is to save money and listen to your gut. No one can make your path for you, you know what you truly desire. You have one life (as we believe) to make that happen for ourselves. We owe it to ourselves to follow our dreams.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I am a huge advocate for reading and watching those who came before us for guidance in this lifetime. Listen to your elders, ask questions. Books I recommend include: Women Who Run With Wolves, Think and Grow Rich, The Power of Now, Slaughter-House Five, anything by James Baldwin and Octavia Butler, Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, and The War of Art, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

I love listening to Rick Rubin, Neville Godard, Jim Rohn, Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Reverend Ikes, and Abraham Hicks for inspiration and getting my mind together.

You have got to stay inspired, even when you are tired and have no motivation. On those days, just listen, just read, just relaxed, but find a way to stay inspired.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @iambritsade