We were lucky to catch up with Fedana Toussaint recently and have shared our conversation below.

Fedana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I woke up one day and somehow I knew exactly what to do. I knew how to weave the stories I wanted to write, this became how I spoke, how I communicated. The only problem is, I was the only person aware of this so everyone else thought I was just quiet, when the truth is, I was just speaking a new language that they did not understand yet.

With art and artistry, I find it best not to rush and not to wonder. I think I learned what I needed when I needed it.

The skills most essential to my artistry were definitely honesty and transparency. Art is nothing if it is not honest, if it can’t be traced back to you then it is not yours.

The only obstacle standing in the way or that have stood in the way of learning more is myself. I am still so afraid of the world that I find it easier to avoid it all together. Once I get over that hurdle, the obstacles will cease to exist.

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 my name is Fedana Toussaint. My last name tells you immediately that I am from a resilient little island in the Caribbean ( Haiti). I am the child of survivors and warriors and story tellers. I am nothing but a culmination of sacrifices.

I got into this industry during the pandemic. I had been writing for quite some time but when the world stopped breathing and everything shut down, the introverts of the world found ways to thrive in that solitude and I was no exception.

I want people to know the women that came before me, the women that are coming after me and the women that are impacted by me. I want the stories of every little girl that’s had to silence herself for the comfort of others to be told through my artistry. I want to be a beacon of not only hope but of resilience. I want black women to know that it’s okay to put the mantle down and rest. I want white women to find accountability in my voice and to listen. I want men to silence themselves and listen to the stories that they often avoid. I want the world to realize that nothing here is unique. There are a million stars like our sun…

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

To stop being so hard on myself and my journey because people are listening and they will treat you exactly how they see you treat yourself.

I had this friend and I was absolutely enamoured. She reflected everything I ever wanted in a sister and I felt like we had this connection that I thought would grow to be unbreakable. I started treating her like I treat precious things, I put her on this pedestal that i didn’t know at the time was too high for her. When she hurt me, I spent months blaming myself, looking for where I went wrong, and I realized that she watched me forgive the people that hurt me and expected the same grace. She got that grace but she lost the friendship in the end. While she’s forgiven, she also broke the pedestal and it’s my fault for putting her up there in the first place but I no longer take responsibility for what she did. That’s hers. But she taught me valuable lessons and I’ll never forget them and I’ll never speak anything but love for her to the universe.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think my authenticity and my aesthetic. I am exactly who I say I am and I stand behind every word I speak. I’m never just one thing. I’m both the quietest person in the room and the loudest energy. I’m both the shortest person in the room and the biggest spirit. I’m an elephant that sits on everyone’s lap and I don’t apologize for it. I strut when I walk, I love women unapologetically, I participate in discourse and disagreements, I give no energy to hate, I give too much energy to proving people wrong. I am a bowl full of ingredients and people have learned to appreciate that I am never just one thing, that just when they think they figure me out, I elevate to a whole new level. I love that about me, I love that I am accessible and untouchable in the same breath.

Contact Info:

• Website: Fefewrites.com
• Instagram: Fefewrites