Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Brittany Davis | Plus Size Model, dancer and entrepreneur

I think about risk is putting your best foot forward and just dive in. Taking that leap of faith and putting God first. The biggest risk I’m taking is wanted to live out my dreams as plus size model and deal with my personal life issues. On a personal note, I’m battling with depression and anxiety. I’m utilizing my God given talent to overcome my personal barriers. Read more>>

Shatoria Christian | Owner, I Am Shatoria, LLC

I call risk-taking faith leaping. I have grown to trust God and leap into what He has for me. I trust Him, so I jump when I see something and my spirit matches. It has played an enormous leap in my life as starting a new business after having a business for over 20 years. It has also allowed me to trust Him with my military Career for the last 21 years. If I didn’t trust him and have faith, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Read more>>

Marchell Sade | Real Estate Phenomenon, Actress & Entrepreneur

Having the determination and ambition to build a legacy, not having to worry about how I am going to make a living for me and my family when the choice is solely up to me, is my parents mindset. And I must say watching my parents not having collage degrees was an experience I appreciated the most and I still watch them both everyday inspires, and motivates me to know that you must take risk to get the results you want and all you have to do is put in the work! Read more>>

Stephanie Lindsay | Recording Artist, Songwriter, Actress, Event/Interior Designer, Creative, Chef, Travel Curator

I believe risks are a very important aspect of life, you can’t grow or evolve or get out of your comfort zone without taking a risk or chance. For me risks have been integral in my life and career and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I took that chance when every part of was unsure and it paid off. Read more>>

Yvonne Wright | Founder & CEO – Sparkle Brand Braids & Sparkle Brand Studios

The biggest risk I ever took was believing in God and betting on myself. In 2019, I was working at an African braiding salon in which I was an independent contractor servicing their clientelle. I remember working 6 days a week and barely being able to afford to live comfortably. I couldn’t understand how I was breaking my back, showing up for work everyday and still sleeping on my grandmother’s couch. Read more>>

Michelle Easley | Author | Publisher | Founder

When you think about it everything requires some level of risk. When you set out to do anything there are no guarantees. What is guaranteed is that if you don’t try you won’t succeed. You have to be in the game to win. I believe in taking calculated risks. We are all at various points in our lives with different circumstances so what may not look like a risk to you is a risk to me. Read more>>

Amber G. Johnson | Weapons Consultant & +Size Model

I believe that CALCULATED risks can bring about great change into your life. I admit that in the past my risks weren’t as well thought out as they are now but one of my favorite experiences with “betting on myself” by taking a risk actually happened in 2014. I was a student-athlete with a 2.9GPA but I just knew that I didn’t want to continue playing sports in college so I rejected offers and submitted one application to Spelman College. Read more>>

Helen Hailemariam | Spiritual & Financial Business Coach (Sacred Secrett is my alias)

I always say the biggest risk you can take is to NOT take a risk at All! See in life we only can get as far as the risks we are willing to take. I once heard a quote from a good friend of mine that said Faith and Fear both cause us to believe in something we CANT SEE! So its up to us which energy we chose to operate in! See we all have choices and some of our biggest risk taking choices can change our lives drastically! Read more>>

Leslie Nicole Ivery | Actor, Advocate

Risk has always had a fear-based connotation. The potential losses in risk-taking may seem more daunting than making ordinary decisions. But risk in an inevitable aspect of the creative industry, and if I chose to navigate every risky moment from a place of fear, it would only make an already-challenging career even more so. Read more>>

Jayy Perk | Musician/Artist

All my life I’ve been a risk taker. Risk is what made me , ME. At the end of the day without risk, there is no reward and I love by that everyday Read more>>

Felicia Julien | Artist and Designer

Often times as creatives, we find ourselves questioning how to balance our passions and entrepreneurial paths while wondering if our art is even worthy. I commonly wonder if I took the wrong path, as security is often beyond the horizon, just out of arm’s reach, because my artistic mind does not exactly understand the business side of things Read more>>

Majin Neech | Tattoo artist & Musician

Risk-taking is something that I love to do, each and every time I take a risk I end up in a better position never less than the one before. So basically anytime that I’m stagnant just know there’s a risk taking chart coming along. Read more>>

Ariell Adams | Creator

I truly understand the significance of taking risks in life, as they often lead to remarkable changes. Leaving a stable job of 15 years was undoubtedly a risk, but it’s clear that this decision opened up numerous doors for me. Even with the security of a steady paycheck, Read more>>

Janell Sexton | Actor

Risk is a situation involving exposure or danger. That’s the literal definition and that is what risk is to me. I’m an actor. Everyday is an expose that often times is so incredibly uncomfortable, overwhelming, raw and dangerous. Without taking a risk, I would not be in the place I am in now. Read more>>