Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Xanderr Monroe

Yes, there have been instances where my work has been misunderstood. For example, some listeners interpreted my single “Lost In The Rhythm” as a straightforward love song, when, in fact, it delves into themes of self-discovery and personal growth. This experience highlighted the subjective nature of art and taught me the importance of embracing diverse interpretations. It reinforced my belief that once art is shared, it takes on a life of its own, resonating differently with each individual. Read more>>

Lea’h Sampson

Being a woman and black there’s certain topics that people assume I should or shouldn’t talk about. That there’s a certain cadence I should have with my jokes. I’ve had people come to a show and say things to me such as “ great set! I thought this would be a black show” what ever that would mean. Or certain people would tell me that my jokes were “ too smart “ or “ not smart enough. I was always placed in a box but when I’d tell my jokes then people would think about me differently than just my exterior. My jokes come from a real place from experiences and my personal views. Sometimes it would confuse people on how incisive I am and bold. Read more>>

Jessica Ornelas

Blogging is where I began to story tell, get creative and build a community on the internet. I started blogging in 2016 as a form of postpartum therapy. For me it was online journaling but then social media really developed into pictures, videos and a different way to share your story. Some people even my close family members tease me about making videos and sharing my motherhood journey online but it has given me many opportunities. I’ve met some really awesome people and I’ve been able to make income from content creating. I may not look like a typical influencer if you think glamourous and put together. and that’s what I am here to show- that you can be authentically you, believe in your gifts and share! Read more>>

Brad Belmondo

Maybe you’ve heard it online or on a movie or even from someone that a distant family member knows; being a musician is hard. Being a musician that wants to be different is even harder. Deciding to create genre-bending music for a popular genre that doesn’t fit a mold? Try excruciatingly difficult. That being said, look at all the incredible artists who have made something that they may or may not be proud of, but that has completely changed a field of art just by taking a chance. Read more>>

Greg Howard Jr

Creatives have always been misunderstood and mischaracterized. That’s where the whole “starving artist” stereotype comes from. As a society, it’s become widely accepted that you have to lock yourself into a “real job” to put food on the table, and anyone who doesn’t do that deserves to be “starving.” Van Gough was notoriously shunned by his community, the Kardashians are looked down on because they’re famous for being famous, and there are countless indie musicians out there that no one will ever hear because mainstream radio won’t play their songs. Read more>>

Kip Baldwin

My life has been devoted to helping others understand that our current system no longer works, it could be argued it never did, but that doesn’t matter it has got us to where we are now, so judging it good or bad isn’t the point . It is where do we go from here now that we have the capability to move beyond our programming of manufactured scarcity and share resources with equanimity in a way we have been able to do before and it is not about our current story versus utopia, but just a matter of doing better because we can. Read more>>

Brandon Butler

I prefer to be judged as more than just African American. I would like to people understand that I don’t have Cancer and that Bloom The Cancer is by my zodiac sign included in the name. Also I Feel people judge me before they even know me, but if you take the time to get to know me. Probably understand that I’m a good person at heart, but in life there are ups and downs. Just like there is Good and Bad in the World. I would like people to understand me through Music and Poetry I write. If you know you know..you know? Just Saying Read more>>

Launa Hernandez-sjongstan

The Entire reason I am on this creative path is due to the fact that my entire narrative was mischaracterized by my Ex Husband and I misunderstood the dynamics of my relationship with him. I was with him for over 12 years and married to him for almost 10 years. During that entire time, I had no idea I was suffering abuse at the hands of a narcissist until it was almost too late and I found myself in a hospital in February 2024, with my actual life on the line, I barely survived. Read more>>