Hi! I'm Zaakirah (zaa-key-ra) I help you Go from where you are (stuck, stagnant, scared) and where you want to go in your business and life (freedom). I provide Black and Indigenous creatives with strategies that empower them to achieve their goals through branding and storytelling, and marketing.For the last 20 years, I've been storytelling by any creative means necessary; photography, writing, film, and podcasting.I check all the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility boxes.I’m a visually impaired, hard of hearing, cancer survivor, chronically ill Muslim Woman. Knowing your history helps you propel and prepare for your future. Entrepreneurship is ownership, and flexibility is key. Sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter!
Legacy, Connection, and Returning from Family Reunion with Full Heart
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Reader, This past weekend, I attended my maternal family's 80th reunion, and I left feeling deeply inspired. There is something special about being surrounded by people who look like you, think like you, and understand the importance of legacy. I spent the weekend listening to family stories, laughing with cousins, and being reminded that I come from generations of brilliance, resilience, and service. One of my favorite memories wasn't a grand moment at all. It had been three years since our last Bailey Casson Family Reunion, and in those three years, I lost four immediate family members. I carried that with me all weekend — quietly, the way grief travels when you're in the middle of something joyful. We were in a line of cars on the way to the park for our cookout. We drove through neighborhoods that our elders used to drive. A line of cars to a cookout. Not a funeral. After the losses of the last few years, that felt like everything and I just sat with the gratitude of it with my favorite songs blasting in the rental car bluetooth. The reunion also reminded me how much I enjoy producing experiences that bring people together. As the Communications Committee Member, I found myself slipping back into my event management skill set—making sure things were accessible, paying attention to the energy in the room, and helping create a seamless experience for everyone involved. I managed the Zoom experience for our reunion, ran the YouTube livestream, moderated the chat, supported camera transitions, and collaborated with the production team at the historic A.M.E church that my family often frequented with their OBS studio — all while being a family member present in the room. I was the unofficial DJ, watching the energy of the crowd and adjusting the music accordingly. I was making sure virtual attendees felt as connected as the people standing right next to me. Along with making sure that the cousins who were the volunteer photos took photos of everyone who got dressed up for the banquet dinner, seamless, accessible events don't happen by accident. Someone has to hold the back end so everyone else can be present. I'm currently reopening space for virtual event and seminar management clients. I handle breakout rooms, translator coordination, slide sharing, chat management, presenter support, and livestream coordination — so that facilitators can focus entirely on delivery. I'm currently working with Landmark Worldwide and have capacity for additional clients. If you have a webinar, conference, workshop, or community gathering coming up and you need someone who runs a tight, accessible, human-centered virtual experience — reply to this email or book using this link. I'm also still accepting 1:1 mentor sessions for creators, speakers, and entrepreneurs navigating accessible storytelling, media, artificial intelligence and visibility. Book using this link. If you're writing a book—or you've recently published one—and aren't sure how to market it to reach your goals, I can help you strategically plan your launch, build your audience before it's finished, and create a marketing strategy that extends beyond release day. Reply to this email. This month has already held so much — Essence Fest, Disability Pride Month, and the reunion. I'm full in the best way. our gifts don't disappear when life gets busy. Sometimes, they simply wait for us to return to them. Legacy isn't only about remembering those we've lost. It's also about showing up fully while you are still here. Now focus on finishing your projects. Now is the time. If you've been thinking about booking, now is a great time to reach out.
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Your Branding and Marketing Therapist
Hi! I'm Zaakirah (zaa-key-ra) I help you Go from where you are (stuck, stagnant, scared) and where you want to go in your business and life (freedom). I provide Black and Indigenous creatives with strategies that empower them to achieve their goals through branding and storytelling, and marketing.For the last 20 years, I've been storytelling by any creative means necessary; photography, writing, film, and podcasting.I check all the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility boxes.I’m a visually impaired, hard of hearing, cancer survivor, chronically ill Muslim Woman. Knowing your history helps you propel and prepare for your future. Entrepreneurship is ownership, and flexibility is key. Sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter!
Reader, At Essence Fest over the holiday weekend, I moderated a panel, had a founder feature, and hosted a Soft Stories sensory session all in one day. In between, I kept noticing people wanted to be inclusive but almost nobody had a framework for actually doing it, especially in their content. Most of the attendees I spoke with, particularly other New Voices founders, admitted they hadn't considered captions or image descriptions yet, but they were very appreciative of the insight. That's...
Reader, I just got back from Essence Festival — and I’m still processing. I spoke at two activations, both filled with people who showed up ready to listen and talk about disability, inclusion, and what it truly means to be empathetic to other communities. It was powerful. And in both rooms, I kept hearing the same thought echo in my mind: we need more of this. We need spaces to belong, to rediscover ourselves, and to feel empowered to keep going. Here is the link to watch the 3 minute recap:...
Reader, I'm at Essence Festival this week — moderating a panel, doing a Soft Stories segment, and leading a workshop on inclusive entrepreneurship. Three activations in one day, which honestly is its own kind of access challenge nobody talks about: the cost of showing up fully in spaces that weren't designed for how your body or brain works. I'll have more to say about that next week. Social Media Day is June 30th — a reminder that the platforms we've built our voices, speaking opportunities,...