FGOTW

Who? Zalika Amadi, 31

Where? I currently live in Atlanta, GA but I was born in raised in household with meditating, Pan- parents in Washington, DC.

What do you do? I am mother of an almost three-year old boy soon to be completing my last semester of a Master's of Art Education. Once I graduate, I intend to move back to Washington, D.C. to pursue my art career while either teaching or working in educational programming for the Smithsonian. I am also forming a African/Caribbean Fusion dance company with one of my besties that combines dances from the Congo, Guinea, Nigeria, the Caribbean, and Egypt (all of which I have studied throughout the years).

What inspires you? I love to party all over the world whether its playing masquerade in Trinidad or wining my waist at a dance in Accra, Ghana (I am going to Ethiopia and Tanzania this year). And beauty of all forms: acts of kindness, meditation, chanting, drumming or any type of compelling music, beautiful fabrics, rare beads, but most of all African women. We are so extraordinarily beautiful in so many ways: our luscious hair, luminous skin, the way we adorn ourselves, our warm, curvy bodies. I wish more of us truly knew it.

Why are you fly? I have always naturally been a rebel, preferring to forge my own path and on the way, setting many trends. I am also very friendly (I have never met a stranger) and I always make meaningful connections wherever I travel in the world.  A natural teacher (inspiration), many people have said you to me throughout the years, "You inspired me to (fill in the blank)"  Some have gone on to achieve great success so I know I have a gift and now it is my time to shine.  :)

Advice: Don't look outside to find your beauty. Magazines will not represent your beauty, they have no desire to and they are outsiders telling you what you should look like. Look to books that showcase indigenous beauty like Women of The African Ark, magazines like Arise, and most importantly: embrace the nappy or the curl. Meditate, breath, chant, pray or find some daily spiritual practice.
Be kind. Live your life on your own terms and don't shrink so that others can feel bigger.