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

Hi Teneia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I would say the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the one I’m working on currently. I’m working on a new collaborative album that involves Black creatives internationally and nationally. Recently, I collaborated with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra on a BLM chamber choir piece and we joined forces with our local community to do so.

We featured a local hip-hop artist, 5th Child, Tougaloo College chamber choir and had the concert at Cade Chapel, a Black church in Jackson, MS. This was the first collaboration of its kind in Mississippi. I feel like it’s moments like this one that actually the most meaningful to me to be a part of some firsts and be a part of the change that happening in the South.

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

My dream job was to be a musician. So this really has been something I’ve loved doing since I was a child. I began writing songs at the age of 8 and it was a good outlet for me growing up. I grew up singing in church and in choir from middle school to college. I spent years writing, touring, playing live shows and recording. Now, I have traveled internationally playing music and I’ve had my work featured on HBO, Netflix and in award-winning films.

A niche I’ve fallen into over the last few years is working with government organizations. I love it! It’s been such a great way to build community and create fun art. I get to keep my independence as a creative and also get paid to create and execute my creative ideas. For example, I created a dance song and video, “Freedom” ft. Trans hip-hop artist, Dayluv for the US State Dept organization, American Voices, to celebrate Pride month, My videographer, Ann Cabano entered into film festivals and it won multiple awards. I think that part is what’s exciting for me to see who these pieces connect with and where they end up being featured. I get paid to create things that are meaningful and have a purpose. It’s helped me expand my creative muscle in a few different ways.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative for me, is that I have the freedom to create whatever I want. When I got out of the comparison game and I realized that I have something unique to offer, then it’s really has been about finding myself and my people. And I’m lucky that I have an audience that loves being on the journey with me and keeps supporting me throughout this discovery of myself.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I know this is gonna sound like a weird answer but meditation. I wish I had that tool in my 20s. I probably would’ve drank less and been a lot calmer. LOL.

Seriously, it’s hands down been the best thing for me on my creative journey because it’s helped me stay calm in some of the hardest moments in my career. Being a creative means juggling a lot at once and also being your own cheerleader at the same time. Because you have to believe in yourself while finding a way to support yourself. That can be stressful. So having a good outlook even when you can’t see what’s around the corner is a skill! And that skill came for me by meditating daily. It’s been a game-changer.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Teneia.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/teneiamusic
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/teneiamusic
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/TeneiaSanders

Image Credits
All photos by Anna Haas- green dress photo, City with Soul cover, Black Empress cover,