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

Deveneux, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken actually involves travelling across the country to pursue this passion.

It started when I caught wind of a scounting combine endeavor by the internationally renowned esports organization, Team Liquid. The Next Wave, it was called. It was touted as a chance to either become one of their roster for a game they represented, or a content creator under their name. The chance of a lifetime for a creator such as myself!

As a growing creator, you always wanna get noticed for the work that you do. I’m a variety streamer, so as a jack of all trades, even though I play at a competent enough level, pro-league is a bit off my radar. But I know I have the chops to be a great creator, and providing entertainment and building a community under the banner of Team Liquid…well that sounded like a dream come true!

The first phase was simple enough; submit a video audition explaining who you are and what you do. Show off your personality and whatnot. I ended up being on the fence and self-doubting until the very last moment, when I decided, what do I have to lose? I clicked Submit, and the deed was done. I thought that would be the end of it.

Imagine my surprise when I’d received response that I’d been selected to move on to the next phase! I was incredulous. The next step was an interview, which would narrow down the entrants to a final six to be flown out and compete in the combine. And as extroverted as I am, interviews always make me so nervous. But I gave it my all, and provided my perspective, told my story.

A couple of days later, I got the email. I filmed my reaction, actually, just in case. If I were accepted, maybe they’d use it for the show? I like to be prepared, haha. I opened the email…I was in! I cried right there on my webcam. I couldn’t believe it.

Team Liquid had handpicked me out of over 50,000 people, to be a top 6 finalist in this prestigious affair. I was so honored, and so humbled.

They flew me and the others ALL the way out to California to film and compete in their studio. We got the chance to sightsee, indulge in some really cool restaurants and atmosphere, and really just go all out and have fun, despite it being a cutthroat competition.

I won’t give away how everything went, but. I had an amazing time, met and made some incredible friends, and forged bonds that will last forever. I wouldn’t give that up for anything, and I’m so glad I took that risk.

Sometimes you can be your own worst critic, but all you need to do is believe in yourself. You’d be surprised what a little kindness to yourself can do. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends, and my Sovereignty (my community on Twitch) for all the love and support they give. Thank you so much!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

Well! As with most gamers it all started once I picked up a controller–however, my ordeal may differ a little than most; my controller was a Light Scope, and I was one year old! That’s right: I’ve been playing games since I was one year old. My very first game was Hogan’s Alley for the NES. My dad would hold the Light Scope to aim, and I would pull the trigger. My very first gaming experience! Funnily enough, I began to learn how to read from that game as well, haha.

It was love at first sight, and I was hooked ever since, to my mother’s chagrin. She’d wanted an athlete, you see. And I’m plenty agile; In fact, Tennis is somewhat of a family sport on her side and I’m no slouch. But video games were my first love, and I couldn’t put them down.

Even as an only child, I never asked my mom for much. I knew how hard it was to raise me on her own. But, every time a new console or handheld came out, I had to have it. It was the only thing I’d ever ask, for Christmas, for my birthday. “May I please please PLEASE have [whatever gaming machine came out that year]??” I still have all my childhood consoles, too. They’re set up in my living room right now, all operational and able to be played at a moment’s whim.

But of course as mothers do, she wondered what I “planned to do with” myself. I honestly didn’t know, but I did know I wanted gaming to be a part of it. I knew it was going to be a part of my life forever, and I didn’t want to sacrifice it for anything. I still don’t. But back then, it wasn’t as huge of an industry as it is now. There are so many facets to gaming as a career, from being a pro player to being a coach, tech behind the scenes, an on screen personality, a commentator, an analyst, a social manager; the list goes on.

I think after landing my opportunity at The Next Wave my mom finally understood how important this was to me, and that I have the ability to make something happen, to do good, and live well.

Still, back then through her protests, I would set up my phone on a tripod and record my gameplay on tv through my phone, as at the time there wasn’t really capture card technology as we know it today. Then I would upload those to Youtube. It didn’t garner much attention, but it made me happy.

That passion still follows me today as I stream and create content on Twitch. I strive to provide a safe space for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks such as myself and give them and other marginalized and disenfranchised voices a platform to be seen and heard. As a growing streamer, that platform may not be very large, but at least it’s there!

I also love to cosplay, and I incorporate that into my content from time to time. I’ve even started delving into TikTok, which I’ll admit, even as someone who does video editing for my craft, is a little intimidating. But I’m getting used to it!

At 32 years old, I’m still truckin’ and I’m not gonna stop. I love what I do and the people for whom I do it, and I’m always happy to open my arms to welcome more.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

Ah, I love this question. For me, all my satisfaction, all my serotonin, all of that comes from the people to whom and for whom I create. My friends, my family, my community. I don’t know where I would be without them.

I love making them laugh, entertaining them, but most importantly, providing a space online where they can come and just be themselves without worry or judgement. When someone has had a bad day and they come into my stream, if I can make them at ease in any way, if I can light up their day in just a little bit, I’ll have done my job.

The world is, unfortunately, already such a negative place. This is how I choose to use my light in the darkness; to shine for others so that they may continue to do so themselves.

They say you gotta lift yourself up by your bootstraps, but that’s not true in the least. We succeed when we ALL succeed. So instead, lift each other up, arm in arm.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Honestly, my audience isn’t very large, by normal parameters. But it’s still formidible for a growing creator like myself, full of strong connections, and close-knit friends and online family. What I lack in quantity I make up for in quality, and that’s really what you want, I think.

But it all starts with just one: You. For a while, you’ll be streaming to yourself. You’ll be submitting videos on Youtube for only your eyes and those initial few who are interested. It’s difficult and discouraging, but it’s worth it. Because if you make the content, people who want to see it will find you and interact. That’s what I’ve learned over the course of time.

I don’t fancy myself a niche creator or choose a specific game to stream because I love playing pretty much everything. That gives me an advantage to reach a lot of people! Don’t put yourself in a box unless that’s what YOU want to do. Don’t make content you think others will enjoy, or else you will be chasing that your whole life. I say again, make the content YOU want, and the people it concerns will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.twitch.tv/sovereignsyd
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ohneux
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/sovereignsyd
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/sydinthebox