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!
Power of Being Seen Differently: Come See Me Speak in Maryland
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Reader, Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about visibility—not just physically, but emotionally and digitally. I’ve been connecting with brilliant women who have years of wisdom and expertise but struggle to articulate their value in a world dominated by AI and the constant demand for content. I understand their struggle. I've been there when I first started doing all of the things 10+ years ago. Being an expert at what you do and speaking in rooms in person and being able to communicate that expertise online are two very different skills. This week I’m reflecting on storytelling, accessibility, disability visibility, and what it means to be seen correctly. This week is Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, which began, fittingly, on Mother’s Day. As a retinoblastoma survivor who lost my right eye to this cancer at nine months old, this week is deeply personal. It’s about education, visibility, and the power of early intervention. It’s often mothers who first notice something is wrong—a white glow in a photo, a subtle change in their child’s eye movement, a flicker of intuition that leads to life-saving answers. That “white glow,” known medically as leukocoria, is one of the earliest signs of retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer. In flash photos, it appears as a white or yellowish reflection in the pupil, caused by light reflecting off a tumor. Early detection saves lives, and frequently, it’s not a doctor who spots the sign, but a parent looking at their camera roll. My own mother saved my life this way (my baby photo is below). Know the Glow: You Have the Power to Save a LifeThe survival rate for retinoblastoma is over 95% when caught early. And our most powerful detection tool isn’t a machine—it’s a parent or caregiver with a phone. The glow is subtle and easy to dismiss. But if you see it in multiple photos of a child, it’s a sign to act and trust your intuition. Please share this information. If you have young children in your life—or know someone who does—follow these steps:
For free awareness graphics and resources, visit KnowTheGlow.org 📍 DMV — Come See Me Speak in PersonIf you’re in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area, I’d love to see you at this intimate event. Space is limited to 50 people. May 21 • 1:00–3:00 PM African American Art Museum • Columbia, Maryland I’ll be speaking about my travels, creativity, and the journey that became my memoir, Seeing Life Through a Different Lens. If you have a paperback copy (You can buy it from Amazon), bring it, and I’ll sign it. RSVP by replying to this email. Refreshments served. For the Brands and CreatorsAI has made it seem like everyone is an expert, which means true experts must work harder to prove their value. If you feel your years of experience and unique voice are being devalued in a world of instant content generation, you’re not alone. But here’s what I know: AI cannot replicate your lived experience, your story, or the trust you’ve built with your community. It can, however, drown you out if you aren’t strategic and automating. I’ve developed resources for this specific challenge: From my shop — digital guides for creators and brands:
If you’d like to work with me directly, my mentorship sessions are open. I’ll audit your content for accessibility and branding gaps.
In Case You Missed ItI’ve been creating new content since my trip to Ghana:
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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,...