We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Simba Alik Woodard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Simba Alik below.

Hi Simba Alik, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

My work is often misunderstood because I embody the person I am in my work. I am misunderstood, mischaracterized, misgendered, missed. I do not fit into any box and neither does my writing. I enjoy folks having different interpretations for my work. However, it is always difficult when someone disrespects my experience. I have learned, though, if folks are uncomfortable, it means they care enough to be. It means it’s working. I have learned that my art is not for fun, but for healing, for learning, for teaching.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a storyteller, all that that means. I began writing in middle school. I participated in a poetry workshop and was told that my words were meant to be shared beyond my classroom. I soon learned that writing was my therapy before I could afford a therapist. I learned that my story was necessary and powerful. Over the years, I have been able to translate my writing into other forms of storytelling. Recently, I started a consulting and storytelling business where I help individuals and organizations figure out their stories and understand the impacts they have. This is not about branding or marketing, it’s about culture, values, people. What makes me different? No one is me. No one is you. I bring my own experience to the table, not just what I have read. I only claim to be an expert in my experience and I encourage others to find the expert in themselves.

I am most proud of the relationships I have built. I am proud of the vulnerability. I am proud of the lessons I have learned through conversations with clients and audiences. My brand is unapologetic. It’s raw. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also mind-altering and beautiful.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that I owed people my art. For free. It is so hard asking for your worth, especially when you are the first in your family or close community that has started a creative business.

There were a number of people that helped me reach certain points in my career. A lot of folks pointed me toward doors I never knew existed. I felt like I owed them, and they knew it. A few years ago, one of these people asked me to turn down a major opportunity and instead “partner” with them and get paid under their organization. I would have received three times less if I had made that decision. Gratefully, I did not. However, I had chosen their way before. I would also provide free services for them.

I was uncomfortable asking for what I knew was right because I felt I had a debt to pay. No. People know what we are worth, that’s why they keep us around. Learned my lesson for sure.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Before the pandemic, I had a very clear path I knew I was supposed to take based on other folks I had seen succeed in my field. The pandemic started and showed us all that it was both possible and necessary to do things differently. My previous pathway was impossible to follow and I realized I didn’t want that anyway.

I was so sure I wanted to be front and center on stages. I wanted my face everywhere because that is how you gain attention in my field, so I thought. Because I was forced to not use stages, I found new ways to spread my story. I found that it was a lot less stressful this new way. I did more research and tried as many new things as possible and now, I make more money and build more connections than I ever have before. I had to reevaluate my purpose and my capacity.

In life, I had to erase a lot of negativity to protect my mental and physical health. Some of the things that had to be erased were hidden in my previous path.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simbaalik.com
• Instagram: @simba_alik
• Twitter: @simba_alik

Image Credits
Josh Nachoz Nita’Ann Photography Tiffany Bessire