TIG: it's for you and it's for me.

Hey It Gals!

What's poppin' ladies?

I'm embarking on this challenge I set out for myself...

I asked you gals whether or not you all would appreciate me opening up more in general with my Just, Jaiya blog posts and the answer was yes unanimously.

So, here I am attempting to do just that.

So Listen,

I want it to be known that The It Gal, this blog, this brand, this movement, this organization came about because, as much as I know other women from the southeastern region of the U.S. could use a platform and movement like this, I too, needed this. As a black girl born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, and just the state of Florida in general, I realize there is a lack of empowerment, networking, workshops, events, seminars, conventions etc. to help fuel the fire and passions of women residing here. I remember being a freshman or possibly sophomore here at USF in Tampa and searching high and low via Google and Eventbrite for events or organizational groups or just anything that would pour into and feed my desire to create, blogging, entrepreneurship, and building a brand. Here I thought moving to a semi-metropolitan city would allow for more of these kinds of opportunities to arise.

Boy was I wrong.

And get this, if there were any kind of platforms or events they were white washed. Don't get me wrong, women sharing knowledge with other women is a blessing in itself and learning how to immerse yourself and navigate through less favorable conditions is a skill to acquire. It's just that I don't feel as represented, as guided or as understood in spaces where I am regularly the minority. As a women of color we deserve a space that speaks directly to our wants, desires, struggles, barriers and everything else that comes with.

I sit here today and reflect on my home state Florida. We've got the best scenery, weather and so much untapped potential, born and raised here, but we don't work together. We don't collaborate. We don't put each other on. In short, we're pretty selfish. It makes sense why anyone with some talent, whether it be sports or music, takes their dreams elsewhere! Cities like Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, the DMV and others are pumping out greatness religiously because they recognize one another's talents and when you put those puzzle pieces together you get a masterpiece.

The It Gal and my long term goals for this brand are everything I wish I had today as I build. I wish there was an aspiring radio host or podcast founder that wanted to invite creatives or businessmen and women to share their stories to inspire others while gaining media coverage. Both parties are benefiting and so does Florida, the culture and our people. But, y'all ain't really hearing me though.

I've come to the conclusion that the few people I follow on Instagram doing the hard work and building from the ground up to bridge this gap in their local communities, like Janee Barbre with her Creative Girl Hangout and Tallia Lee with the Influential Jax, both of Jacksonville, and I have to keep doing the same.

The challenge I face now is being based out of a city that is not my hometown. I feel like if I could have started and built The It Gal back home worg those resources and support my confidence level and growth could be expedited. My boyfriend continuously reminds me that God isolated me and brought me to Tampa for a reason, that I from time to time question, but I completely understand. I had to take this route in order to breakdown and build myself back up again. The rebirth of The It Gal couldn't have came to me without the experiences I had to endure.

I won’t go deep into this key message just yet. That’s for my next post, so stay tuned for that 😉

I just have to stay focused.

Stay committed to the bigger picture.

& the breakthroughs will come in.

I see a gap that I feel I've been called to fill along with the visible peers that have a similar vision. I know I'm on to something. I wish there were already something in place, like what I’m trying to be build now as it comes into formation, but my blessings will come in and in abundance.

"I give a f*** if that crown heavy, put it on my head"- Meek Mill

XOXO Just, Jaiya