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

Kyerrah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew that I wanted to pursue acting professionally after I won the “ Best Actress” Award at my high school’s award show. It was my first time auditioning for a school play, so to land a main role and receive an award for it gave me all the motivation I needed to continue on with my career. Eventually, I went on to earn my degree in Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre Concentration. Now I work as a part time acting instructor while still living my dream of being an actress. This is just the beginning for me.

Kyerrah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an actress, director, model, creative, entrepreneur and visionary. I always knew I had a passion for the performing and creative arts and I like to delight in that passion as much as I can.

Like most entertainers and creatives, I’ve been involved with the arts since I was a child. I decided to pursue it educationally, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual and Performing Arts. Since then I have acted in several plays and film projects, worked behind the scenes of several sets, and I am currently an acting instructor at one of Columbia, SC’s urban theatre companies- WOW Performing Arts Center as well as an acting coach in my spare time.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my own view, in order to support actors, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem, society can do things like promote arts education, provide financial support, create safe spaces for the arts, and provide mental health support for all creatives.

In order to continue growing the arts community and inspire our youth through creativity, society should prioritize arts education at all levels of schooling. Arts education nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, benefiting individuals and society as a whole.

Another way society can support the creative communities is to provide financial support. As artists, we often face financial challenges, especially when starting our careers. So many times I’ve heard the words “ acting isn’t a real job” and have struggled with the expenses of sustaining a life while still chasing my dreams. Governments, foundations, and communities can establish grants, fellowships, and scholarships to provide financial assistance to artists.

A way to help with these compensations is to fund creative infrastructures and spaces dedicated to providing work and jobs for creatives. I currently work for a local urban performing arts center that has so much potential but is unfairly underfunded. The government should invest in the development of dedicated spaces for artists and creatives, such as theaters, studios, galleries, and co-working spaces. These venues can serve as hubs for collaboration, performances, exhibitions, and networking opportunities.

Finally, one of the most important ways to help creatives is by providing mental health support. Often we hear stories of big artists who struggle with depression, stress, anxiety, etc. but what about the smaller artists who can’t afford for other people to hear them out ? As someone who has struggled with mental health issues pertaining to my art form, we should learn to understand the unique challenges faced by artists and creatives and provide resources for mental health support. Addressing the well-being of actors and creatives by offering counseling services, mentorship programs, and creating safe and inclusive spaces can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable creative ecosystem.

By implementing just a few of these measures, society can create an environment that nurtures the growth of actors, creatives, and support a creative ecosystem, encouraging innovation, expression, and social progress.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One of the biggest things I believe non-creatives struggle to understand when it comes to my journey as an actress and creative is the sacrifice. Whether you take the route of earning a degree in your art form or just learning as you go along, you will still find that ALL actors and creatives have to sacrifice in order to just sustain a living let alone chase the dream. And I know that all people no matter what profession they are in, have to sacrifice something but I can only speak for the one I am in. As an actress/creative, we have to create ourselves, market ourselves, network ourselves, fund ourselves, defend ourselves, we are literally our own walking businesses. So I do get offended when people try and belittle my art form and take it as a joke, because they have no idea how much I have sacrificed. I didn’t just want a job, I wanted a career. To do work that I am proud of. And although, I am not a wealthy actress/ creative (yet) I am happy. I get to wake up every day thankful that I am still in this race. Still chasing my dreams. And as long as I keep my faith, walk in my promise, and continue to work hard and do my very best…I know it will be worth it in the end.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kyerrahrobinson /@theerealnubianqueen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyerrah.robinson.5/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyerrah-robinson-a50000141/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/therealnubianqueen