We recently connected with Brittany Eve & Dom and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brittany Eve & Dom, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Brittany Eve: I’ve known from an early age I wanted to do something creative with my career. I remember watching America’s Next Top Model & the Rachel Zoe Project as a teenager and thinking, “I want to create magic like that.” It was my dream to get into fashion coordinating and to creatively produce fashion shows for Fashion Week. I graduated high school to attend college with a major in Fashion Merchandising.
Though I did not complete my degree in Fashion, I learned so much and was able to jump start my creative journey. I’ve produced fashion shows, creatively directed photoshoots and curated spaces for other artists/creatives in the city [New Orleans], as well. I extended my reach to writing for my own and other platforms, sharing my personal take on life’s experience then transferring that energy to podcasting.
Dom:
I would like to think I began creating things in the 3rd grade, especially art & poetry. I knew that I had a knack for creating back then but it wasn’t really nurtured. I picked back up with my creativity at the beginning of my 30s. I decided to explore my creativity more than just using it as a teacher. I ventured off into being a makeup artist. I also began writing more & exploring how I feel not only about my life but really doing a deep introspection into who I was growing into. Currently, I feel like when I write or create from my heart, everything is possible & I want everyone else to feel that too.
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 way Rum Punch & Beignets came about was organic. We met in 2018 during Essence Weekend at a popular New Orleans club. We instantly clicked. Our relationship blossomed over cocktails and conversations at many Happy Hour spots for the next couple years until one Happy Hour evening after an intense venting session, Dom blurted “We should start a podcast.” In September 2020, we launched the first season of the podcast that would change our lives in ways we never imagined.
RP&B has helped us face our own fears and pushed us towards personal healing, while simultaneously relating to other 30-somethings who are facing similar issues in today’s world. This podcast was selfishly started but turned into a platform for people to talk about real life circumstances in a non-judgmental and comforting space. It’s our goal to intentionally curate spaces where we share love, a good joce & toast with a special drink.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Dom:
What really started this journey was when I was 30 years old in 2015/16. I had gotten engaged to someone I was friends with for years & we had got together. When I noticed that everything wasn’t what it seemed, I struggled with calling off my wedding with less than a year until our wedding day. I took the leap & called it off. Yes, I lost money in paying & preparing for the rest of my life but my peace was more important than saving face. I began the rumblings of a memoir (it’s not finished yet *deep sigh*) after I made the decision. I even curated a soundtrack with the possibility of it turning into a movie. I knew that I had the juice after reading what I had written up to a point. That stroked the idea that I’ll be okay. I am not a failure. I did what I had to do to heal & rebuild my life.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Brittany Eve:
My creative journey has proven to be purposefully driven. It honestly comes directly from God. There have been many times I’ve tried to deter from my artistic urges but I always found my way back to creating spaces or images for individuals, like myself. I truly believe it is my purpose to connect people, Black creatives specifically, to the next level in their journey. My driving force is seeing individuals, who look like me, succeed on their journey. It is my goal to see many Black people thrive to their highest potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rpbpodcast.com & https://nika-the-great.mailchimpsites.com
- Instagram: RP&B: @rpd_podcast, Brittany Eve: @bettersht2do, Dom: @NikaDGreat
- Facebook: Dominique Monica
- Twitter: RP&B: @rpb_podcast, Dom: @NikaDGreat, Brittany Eve: @its_teedyb
- Youtube: @rpb_podcast
Image Credits
Sydney Joelle of SJ Walker Studios