We were lucky to catch up with Imani Evora recently and have shared our conversation below.

Imani, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

We Are Made began as a podcast in January 2020. At the time, I couldn’t find any shows that reflected the conversations I could see myself in nor the paths to success that felt relatable to my community. I was searching for voices and examples that looked like me, sounded like me, and spoke to the experiences of my culture, and as a Life Coach who was also hosting events for creatives, I felt called to fill that gap. My hope was to ease some of the challenges that come with transitioning into adulthood and pursuing a creative path. I also understood that I would need voices beyond my own to truly support people in the way I envisioned, so I turned to individuals I admired. I reached out to people in the industry who inspired curiosity, confidence, and connection, and invited them to share their side of the story. The show quickly became a meaningful blend of my journalism roots and my passion for uplifting my culture.

Over the course of a year, I conducted more than forty interviews, while also managing every part of the process myself. From outreach and research to recording, editing, posting, and promoting, it was all me. Eventually, the weight of doing everything alone became too much. I reached a point of burnout indescribable and had to make the difficult decision to pause and step away, trusting that it would one day return in a more aligned and sustainable way.

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?

My name is Imani Evora, and I am the founder and curator of We Are Made, a platform and community created for the next generation of dreamers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who are ready to get out of their own way and step into what is possible for them. My journey into this work began with a love for storytelling and a desire to make space for people to feel supported, seen, and understood. I originally launched We Are Made in 2020 as a podcast highlighting creatives of color and the stories we do not always hear. Over time, I realized there was a deeper need, not just to share stories, but to provide real tools, guidance, and community for young adults navigating their careers and purpose.

Today, We Are Made has evolved into a growing platform that offers resources, workshops, events, and opportunities designed to help young adults build lives and careers they love. Whether someone is just starting, pivoting, or trying to figure out their next steps, our mission is to help them move from ideas to action with clarity and confidence. We solve the problem many young dreamers face, which is feeling unseen, unsupported, or unsure of where to begin. We bridge that gap by centering representation, access, culture, and collaboration.

What truly sets us apart is our attention to detail. We lead with culture, we build with intention, and we meet people where they are. From our webinar topics, to our Instagram playground, we aren’t here to tell people who they should be. We are here to walk with them, remind them that they do not have to start from scratch, and help them take their next step with confidence. We Are Made is not just a community, we are a village. It is a space where people can grow, explore, and become everything they are called to be.

I am most proud of the impact this work has on others. Seeing young people feel seen, take up space, trust their purpose, and create from a place of honesty, joy, and intention means everything. For anyone new to We Are Made, I want them to know this: We got you, your dreams are valid, and you don’t have to do this journey alone. We are just getting started, and I am grateful to build this community with you and for you.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I accepted the role at FAMU, everything shifted. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the audience I had been speaking to was not the one I was truly called to serve. My intentions were right and the mission was clear, but the audience was misaligned. And that clarity changed everything.

By May 2025, We Are Made returned, born again out of limitation. As DEI rollbacks began restricting what I could create within my nine to five, I felt my purpose being muted. I knew I couldn’t keep building under those conditions, so I pivoted. I used what I had, considered relaunching a podcast, but quickly realized the next generation needed more than stories this time. They needed community, culture, and a sense of belonging at the center of our conversations.

So I bet on myself again and launched “More of Us”, a series that spotlighted creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who show there are more of us using our gifts to redefine what is possible across different industries. I wanted to create something for the person sitting at home with a dream on their heart. Whether that was to become an author, an artist, a CEO, or a chef, to see what it actually looks like in the real world. For many of us, seeing it makes it feel possible. That’s the sense of inspiration I wanted to give to the world.

No matter what I was going through behind the scenes, I stayed focused on the impact. If even one person felt seen, encouraged, or motivated to keep going, it was worth it. Sometimes a pivot is bringing you closer to clarity.

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

“No One Is Self Made” by Lakeysha Hallmon helped me recognize my strengths, but it also challenged me to look deeper at what it truly means to honor community. It reminded me that success is not meant to be individual, it is meant to be shared, supported, and rooted in collective growth. “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker was also incredibly impactful. It reshaped the way I think about creating intentional spaces for people to connect, not just around shared interests, but around shared purpose. It taught me that community does not happen by accident. It is built with care, clarity, and intentional connection.

I also draw a lot of inspiration from podcasts that explore the human side of entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal growth. Shows like How I Built This with Guy Raz, Not Just One Thing by Kudzi Chikumbu, Aspire with Emma Grede, and IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson have each influenced how I approach leadership and storytelling. They remind me that building something meaningful requires both resilience and consistency. These conversations reinforce that success is not just about the vision you bring to life nor is it linear, but about the people you uplift, empower, and bring with you along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wearemadeofficial.com
• Instagram: @wearemadeofficial and @imanievora
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanievora
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreMadeOfficial