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

Queen, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I’ve thought about this question before over the years, and I can confidently say that I started my creative career right when I needed to. There was an opportunity I had when I was maybe 4 or 5yrs old, when my parents took me to my first photoshoot. The photographer thought I did an amazing job, and was telling my parents that I could start my career as a model then, but they declined in that moment. It was a story that also became a joke where I would tell my parents we could’ve been rich had I started young, and it’s something we laugh about all the time. Looking back over my life and all the knowledge I have now and the woman that I am in this moment of my life, I’m honestly grateful that I didn’t start my creative career sooner. My parents wanted to protect the innocence that I had, and didn’t want the industry to do what it did to many young, black, deeply and richly melanated girls, which was to try to tear them down essentially. I’m forever grateful for my parents putting me first and letting me grow up the way I did. If I had started my career sooner, I think I would be lost. I was such a shy child, and was bullied quite a bit growing up and didn’t understand how to use my voice as strongly as I do now until my adult years.

I started my creative career during my last year in college. I dipped my toes into the industry through a casting call to model for a fashion show. Over the years I went from fashion shows at LAFW, NYFW, Swim week, etc to returning back to my first love of dance and doing a few music videos, to eventually finding my way to the commercial and tv industry. I always wanted to be on tv, but didn’t have the confidence to speak it out loud. When I started my career into this industry, I was still in a space of not fully loving my skin tone, of not being able to speak up for myself, of always asking for permission and following the rules. From then to now, I have learned so much along the way about myself, the industry, and what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be if I was going to stay in this world. I would not be as resilient, confident, motivated or as dedicated as I am to the path that I’m on had I stared sooner.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi readers! I go by Queen Ajima, but my name is Ajima Adiatu Isatu Cole. I got into this industry honestly through determination. Growing up I never put my wants, needs or desires first, instead I hid them away, and one big thing that I truly wanted was to be a creative as an actor, dancer, model, or anyway that would let me express myself. After I received my degree, I took a leap of faith and started doing research on the industry that I wanted to be apart of. Google was my best friend! I’ve been in this industry for about 13 years now growing, learning, and passing along knowledge when I can. I’ve modeled for many designers; I’ve done commercials for many brands such as Meta, Land O’Lakes, Fruit of the Loom, etc; and I’ve acted on shows on BET, Bounce TV, Amazon and Hulu. And now I’m the proud owner of Queen Ajima Productions, creating what’s on my heart and mind and carving out a space in the industry for myself rather than waiting on anyone else to put me on.

Queen Ajima Productions is my production company that I am most proud of as it came to fruition in 2019, but wasn’t official until 2023. The service I provide is to help others make their visions become more tangible. To help their stories that they want to be told see the light of day. I help provide resources, outsource production teams, and help produce along the way. In less than a year, I’ve created and written 3 short films, co produced on another short film, and will be the executive producer of a feature film later next year. My next goal is to write my first feature film! I hope to work with any more creatives along the way!

I think what sets me apart from others is my spirit. I’m an energetic, goofy, happy and fun individual that also leaves a space of safety for others to open up and receive whatever it is they need in order to feel heard. The main things I would like for potential clients/followers/fans to know about me is that you’ll get exactly what’s needed of me as a friend, a business owner, and as a creative. You’ll laugh, be motivated, and will always have an open door to get advice from me if needed. My brand is about not being forced to stay in one lane or in a box. It’s about being proud of being multi-talented and being fearless in the process of expressing each creative side that one has.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal is to just be able to freely create with like minded individuals, brands, and companies that align with my values. I don’t want to ask for permission, and I want to lead with what my instincts are telling me never doubting them. I find I have a strong sense of who I’m working with and what I’m working on and if it’s in alignment or not with me. The mission is to continue to create so I can live a happy life. Simple as that. When I’m not creating and feeding that desire, I’m not at my happiest or healthiest mentally. When I’m creating, I’m one of the joyous individuals you will meet. People would always tell me I’m glowing, and I didn’t realize why that was until I realized that it’s because I’m doing what I want unapologetically!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is being able to evoke a feeling from someone that might’ve surprised them as well. When they let me know that they look up to me, that I inspire them, or that I motivate them. I use to always question why they do or would, because imposter syndrome is a beast and something many of us suffer from. Although I’m proud to say I’m conquering that beast so much better now that I use to, it still creeps up at times and something I have to deal with. So the fact that I’ve had people that know me, people that I haven’t seen in years, or even people that just meet me for a short while give me those kind of accolades, they don’t realize that they’re helping me become stronger and better at accepting compliments and giving myself a pat of the back more often. They remind me that I’m doing something great and it’s not going unnoticed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenajima
• Other: Production Company email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Kmd.blue/Brice Morrison
HDJMediaSpotlight