We recently connected with SAMORA SMALLWOOD and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, SAMORA thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
It’s so important to take risks in your creative journey as an artist-entrepreneur! And I intentionally call myself an artist-entrepreneur because there’s a mind-set, skill-sets and magic from both that are required to thrive. Taking risks is one of the biggest areas where I see artists limit themselves, and to be honest I used to do the same thing! It requires BIG GUTS to call yourself out on playing it safe, especially an an artist. So many people feel that the RISK is inherent to having chosen to pursue a career in the arts. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Truly. Because I see artists every single day who despite having chosen a career without a 1+1=2 formula, still play it safe and refuse to step outside their comfort zones. I truly believe that being scared is a GOOD SIGN.
My message is really simple: use fear as a lighthouse in your journey to Coming Home to your true purpose. I really believe that if you’re afraid, it’s a good sign that you’re on the right path. What makes the life of the artist so imperative is that we go into unknown territory on purpose. We’re supposed to. That’s how we shed light on humanity, hold up a mirror to our flaws and foibles to hopefully make people feel seen. So, if you don’t take a risk and do something or go somewhere you’ve never been then you can’t reach your full potential. Every day I live by my “Manifest Yo Shit” mantra which is one that asks you to expand into your passion and your purpose. And we can only do that by taking a risk. Risking failure, looking silly, not being good right away, taking a chance, trying something new, sharing our vulnerabilities, accepting our shadow and shining our light. All of that is risk taking at its highest, more humbling level.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Samora Smallwood is a believer, an artist, a teacher, a mystic, a griot. a dreamer, a teller of tales, an advocate, and a light bearer. My craft is acting-writing- and storytelling-something that is so inherent to who I am that it is, in fact, ancestral. I can trace it back to my West-African and Newfoundland roots, two cultures extremely steeped in history, magic, and storytelling.
I’m a classically trained, award-winning actress, writer, producer, advocate and business owner. That’s a mouthful, but hey, I’ve always had a lot to say! There’s a famous saying “Jack of all trades, Master of None” and I used to feel awkward sharing what a multi-hyphenate I am, thinking people would make assumptions. But as you step into your power and truly embrace “Coming Home” to who you are and what you offer? Your authentic voice can shine bright and the community you build becomes synonymous with who you truly are. And in regards to “Jack of all trades, Master of None”? Someone dear to me recently sent me the true origin of the phrase and here it is:
“JACK OF ALL TRADES IS A MASTER OF NONE, BUT OFTENTIMES BETTER THAN A MASTER OF ONE” Formerly intended as a compliment, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist; versatile and adept at many things
That made it all so clear! Stop apologizing for all that you are! Embracing your magic is literally #ManifestYoShit energy, so now I fully embrace it and intend to expand as much as possible. My production company “Hold One Entertainment” has a number of character-driven television and film projects in various stages of development with our first feature, “Bet + Dee” written by me, going to camera in my home province of Newfoundland in summer 2024.
My studio, “The Actors Work Studio” is a business I started in 2018 because I recognized a need for a space where actors could learn the craft while developing their confidence & authentic voice. A “safe space” (before that was a colloquial turn of phrase), for actors, especially beginner actors, BIPOC actors, and established actors who are turned off by the pedantic, old-fashioned style found in so many of the other studios. Our fresh, confidence building approach and proven methods make the Actors Work Studio an in-demand go-to for actors who want to learn offerings developed by a ccurrent, in-demand, award-winning actor and coach. Our recent pivot to online offerings have allowed us to work with actors from across Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New York, Los Angeles and many other parts of the United States. And that’s just the beginning. There are some very exciting launches coming out of The Actors Work Studio every quarter this year.
And in a very exciting turn, my reputation as a major manifestor has grown to such a level that everywhere I go people proclaim their enthusiastic “Manifest Yo Shit” moments and experiences. I constantly receive messages, emails, and DM’s about the impact my positive, empowering, optimistic “Manifest Yo Shit” messages and videos have on the lives of others. It’s so humbling and I cannot express the joy it fills me with to see people believing in themselves, going after their dreams, and putting in the work (especially when no one is watching) that all contribute to a Manifest Yo Shit lifestyle! It’s incredible!! So keep an eye out for some Manifest Yo Shit magic coming in 2024 which I cannot wait to share. Remember, no matter where you come from, no matter what happened to you: you have the ability and the RIGHT to make all your dreams come true. I believe in you! I believe in me.
No more shame, no more limiting beliefs, just straight celebration of every win along the way and faith in the belief of what you’re capable of. THAT”S the power of #ComingHome and #ManifestYoShit
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is to be of service to the community by creating art, offerings, spaces, and teachings that empower and uplift, challenge the status quo, entertain, educate and provoke conversation. My goal is always to be better, to learn, to let go of ego, to challenge myself daily, to have more compassion, to help others, to create and to expand as much as possible. So right now that looks like taking risks, doing new things, pushing outside my comfort zone, testing the edges of my talent, and daring to suck at something along the way to being great at it. I want to know what I don’t know, and know deeper what I do know. Coming home to who I really am and using my authentic voice means letting go of people-pleasing and validation seeking which in endemic in the entertainment industry.
I love learning, and I have a deep-seated generosity of spirit that compels me to share what I learn. In a shamanic journey once, I asked to be shown my path, and when I didn’t see it I got scared, but then sure enough my ancient self appeared, holding a torch in one hand and blade in the other. She didn’t have a path, she was creating one. It was one of the most profound moments in recent years, and since then it’s been my guiding light whenever I feel lost or afraid. I summon my courage because that’s the real me: someone blazing their own trail. I have a cherished James Baldwin quote and it goes “The place in which I’ll fit will not exist until I make it.” I’m up for the challenge. That’s my goal, to create that place and invite others.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The biggest lesson I had to learn was to TRUST MYSELF. And that means doing the work to get there. Working on my healing journey, coming home to true self confidence, worthiness and self love, developing strategies for un-learning all of the BS society puts on you about shame and self-doubt. All that crap makes you easier to control, and sadly takes you farther away from the only thing you got that they haven’t seen: YOU. The real YOU. I am rooted in community building and advocacy so I am not advising becoming narcissistic or self-serving. This divine inner work of Coming Home to who you really are and knowing you’re worthy, only makes you better equipped to be of service through the unique gifts you were blessed with. Your unique voice is needed in this world. I know with certainty that learning to trust myself and let go of trying to be liked, or to be someone or something that is picked or like anyone else has attracted the abundance and success I am now experiencing. And it’s only up from here! I can see the future and it’s so expansive, loving and bright and I intend to bring others with me on this Manifest Yo Shit journey. Cause every single person has a unique offering and is worthy of the very best. I truly believe that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.samorasmallwood.com, www.theactorsworkstudio.com
- Instagram: @samoragloria @theactorsworkstudio @manifestyoshit
- Facebook: Samora Smallwood
- Twitter: @samoragloria
Image Credits
George Pimentel Robert O Photography Anthony Fascione