We recently connected with Miah Giavonni and have shared our conversation below.
Miah, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
As a growing creative artist, I find it necessary to share the journey before the “big” wins and success stories. Each part of the climb is required and important. It polishes me for every step ahead. I’m learning to enjoy each foot forward and and toast to each stride. In 2020, I felt myself experiencing a burn out. I was having what felt like mental and emotional breakdowns on a weekly basis. My family began to notice and this was when I knew covering up wouldn’t be my best solution. I needed to find center to prepare for what God had next. I’m really beginning to understand cycles of living. It can be hard af to make peace with, but again, the process feels worth the fight.
I started therapy when I was about 17 or 18 — right before I left for college. I knew I needed to let go and be free of past versions of myself (reminder: healing is a lifelong trip). As college began, I utilized the counseling centers and support groups that would keep me grounded through that period of time. All of it worked, but at this point in my life (back to 2020) I needed some more help and I knew it would take time to unravel my truths. I was simply doing too much and not doing enough. Doing too much of taking on other people’s projects and not enough of tapping into my own care and stories.
I sought after a new therapist and went through a couple of consultations. I attended one more session and was crying by the end. I knew I was in the right place. lol The tears overflowing felt like a breakthrough of relief or a reminder that I can do this life thing. My therapist encouraged me to take a hold of my destiny and make time to nourish all of me. As I’ve gradually grown and continue doing this, I find self care and showing up for myself first necessary.
“Give me a minute” is a familiar phrase I’ve witnessed and have used so loosely, but it’s one of those four worded sentences that could mean different things in different moments. It was initially inspired by a creative project and is constantly evolving into a lifestyle brand. It’s dedicated to encouraging people to take care of ourselves before we show up anywhere else. A reminder to take a breath and slow down prior to beginning and a highly demanded request to pause and check in. But also a phrase for all to freely redefine on our own. The Give Me A Minute Lifestyle Brand is here and available to use the best way WE see fit. And there is room left to give ourselves time to figure that out.
Beyond my career, I want my family and people to know and remember me for my pure joy, kindness and love of self and others. For connecting dots and bridging communities. Each part of my journey has required the right resources and the right people. I’m just here to pass the torch and continue that legacy.
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?
So, I’ve finally embraced the term “multi-hyphenate.” Took me a minute, but we’re here. Tightening up and getting specific. I work in television and film by day and put on my entrepreneur hat after hours. My specific focus professionally (and by that I mean on LinkedIn and IMDB) is casting. I support and assist production teams with finding the right actors for shows and movies. I love the collaboration that happens here. Casting directors and executives are so unique. The ability to identify talent and negotiate deals with actors and their team along with producers, show runners, directors and all other parties is so fascinating to me. I continue to grow respect for the entire process of storytelling, but casting allows a front row seat to a work of art not yet released. I’m proud to be learning from and working with some of the greats. I hope to pull others up and into rooms / impact this insanely beautiful industry through each project I’m a part of.
As far as entrepreneurship, consider me a creative producer and visionary. I like curating memorable experiences with other brilliant people and that’s been this growing platform’s foundation. Collaboration and community fuels me and that’s exactly why I’ve created a lifestyle brand. In addition to hosting intimate events, I want people to feel confident and empowered to use their voices while taking time to understand what it is they need to be their absolute BEST. Taking care of myself allows me to show up for and with others well. I want The Give Me A Minute Lifestyle Brand to be a well-known and globally understood / on going conversation.
As far as products, I currently have an online store with apparel and will soon develop more home and travel products. In addition to the store, I have a podcast called “Give Me A Minute: The Podcast” available on Spotify, Apple. Podcasts, Google Play and more!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Long story short, I’m F R E S H to all of this, but I’m no longer using that as a an excuse to not show up and put myself out there. I don’t have all the answers and I’m still piecing together what’s needs from me through my gifts. I am showing. up and falling and getting right back up. lol I’m using the things I do know to get to where I know I’m headed. All I can say is, allowing and serving each season will motivate you to dream and remain assured that things actually will work out. As I learn, I will share. I have A L O T to do. But I’m not the same person I was 5 years ago and I’m thankful.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I won’t call this a pivot, but more so a clarity ride :)
I (low key) knew I wanted to work in entertainment and run my own business, but never knew anymore specifics beyond that idea. I grew up with entrepreneurs and I come from artists of many mediums, so it almost feels divine.
When I graduated from college, I did everything I said I wasn’t going to. I had no job and I moved back home. At a certain point, I was getting on my own nerves and I knew I had to get up. I was initially pursuing more news room gigs, but nothing was sticking. I was introduced to filmmaking in the summer of 2017 and started attending “breaking into the industry” workshops, hitting any and all film festivals and getting near a set any chance I could. Even if it were my own. Eventually, I started meeting the right people and those people were putting my name is rooms I would have never imagined. Some of these individuals are now some of my closest friends and mentors turned family.
Once your foot is in the door, the opportunities are just about limitless. There are so many different paths to making it to where you want to go and there’s never a true Black print for the right one. The one you take to get to where you’re going is the only one you should feed (Keep your eyes forward. Those to the left and right will meet or see you at the top).. Like anything else, elevation requires more of you. Your name holds weight because of who you are AND who you know. And again, it’s important to build relationships and a support system that will carry you through.
I don’t want to make this a TedTalk, but just know — I’ve heard many no’s before I started seeing acceptances and “yes.” Every position I’ve earned was from someone, somewhere fighting for me and the gratitude I have is eternal. I would not be as ahead nor as privileged if it weren’t for my entire personal and creative village.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.miahgiavonni.com
- Instagram: @miahgiavonni
- Linkedin: Miah Giavonni Harris
Image Credits
Pic 1: Shaquill Reeves Pic 2: Maliaka Kenyetta Pic 3: Nate Parker Foundation Pic 4: Marzett Media & BWBM Network Pic 5-8: Yours Truly