We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Simone Brathwaite a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Simone, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents trusted me. When my sister and I were younger, they set firm boundaries, but by the time we were adults, they let the reins loose. I didn’t know it then, but my parents not telling me to do this or that required me to figure out what I wanted to do. That trust pushed me to deepen my intuition and discernment, allowing me to take risks and possibly fail without reproach. From leaving a finance job to take an internship during a recession to turning down a marketing role at my dream company, I’ve made many an unconventional career decision. But I never made them fearing my parents’ judgment.

I remember telling my mom I wanted to quit my corporate job without having another one lined up. I was bracing for concern or pushback, but instead, she offered me a listening ear… and my old bedroom. Years later, I asked her why she didn’t try to talk me out of it. She shrugged and said, “Why would I, when you’ve proven you make good decisions?”

Their trust helped me learn to trust myself.

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?

I am a writer and creative coach.

My writing stretches across screenplays, personal essays, and poetic musings–but at the core, I’m always exploring what it means to live with both hope and complexity. I joke that my genre is “hopecore,” but really it’s that I’m drawn to stories that ask hard questions and offer soft landings.

My dream (and active pursuit) is writing for television. I’m drawn to character-driven dramas that blend personal healing with larger cultural or spiritual reckonings. Alongside screenwriting, I’ve built a growing platform as a creative nonfiction writer. My essays often blend mindfulness, pop culture, and personal storytelling. I also share my experiences as a writer and creative coach on TikTok and host a podcast called Sol Talk: from Corporate to Creative, where I have honest conversations about what it takes to live a creative life.

Then there is the coaching side of the house. I use my experiences as a creativepreneur, alongside my marketing and PR background to help other ambitious and soul-led creatives build self-trust, clarify their vision, and navigate resistance. I believe the creative path is spiritual work, and my coaching honors that.

What differentiates me is that I’m walking the path too. I’m admittedly in the messy middle of building a career in Hollywood and growing a platform, while staying moisturized and nourished in the process. Yet, I believe my work– whether a script, a coaching session, or a TikTok video– reminds people that they’re not alone and that their dreams can and should be pursued.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can begin by shifting the narrative around the value of the arts. It’s easy to see the importance of more traditionally respected professions–like dentists or lawyers–and, as a result, we understand why their time and expertise should be paid for accordingly. In contrast, we’re conditioned to see the arts as frivolous or non-essential, and that belief leads to undervaluing the work artists do, while failing to create an infrastructure that allows artists to thrive.

But what if we imagined a world where artists had real access to healthcare, affordable housing, and consistent stipends? I believe society at large would benefit. That’s because creativity is the pathway to a more humane world. And while that might sound like conjecture, data has shown us how art heals and preserves culture, and creativity enhances problem-solving and boosts the economy.

By valuing the minds, supporting the well-being, and honoring the work of creatives–we all win.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes — I hope to empower and catalyze others through the power of storytelling. Whether through screenplays, articles, social media posts, or podcast interviews, I aim to reflect the beauty and complexity of humanity–especially those who are often overlooked or ignored.

At the same time, I’m committed to honoring my creative callings. There’s a quote attributed to Martin Luther King Jr. that I return to often: “Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” That captures my deepest desire: to be a vessel for something greater than myself, while working in concert with my own unique gifts, talents, skills, and personality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simonekeelah.com
• Instagram: @simonekeelah
• Other: TikTok: @simonekeelah

Image Credits

For professional shots: Monica Henriquez